Southwest flight forced to make emergency landing after engine failure

A Southwest Airlines flight from New Orleans to Orlando, Florida, made an emergency landing Saturday morning after an engine failure.

The Captain of SW Flight 3472 from New Orleans made the decision to divert the airplane to Pensacola, Florida due to a mechanical issue with the number one engine, a Southwest statement said.

"The flight landed safely without incident at Pensacola International Airport at 9:40 a.m. central time. Initial reports indicate there are no injuries among the 99 passengers and five crew members onboard", said the statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has decided to launch an investigation. The aircraft is out service and the Southwest Airlines will work to accommodate the passengers to Orlando or their final destination as soon as possible, said the airlines'statement.

Source : XINHUA