CHARLESTON, SC — A Southwest Airlines flight bound for New England was forced to make an emergency landing in South Carolina on Monday morning after the flight crew reported a potential fuel leak mid-flight.
Southwest Airlines Flight WN4761, a regularly scheduled service from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in New Hampshire, departed Orlando’s Terminal A, Gate 125, at 8:54 am EDT.
The flight proceeded normally for the first hour of its journey. However, while cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet over South Carolina, the flight crew noticed indications of a suspected fuel leak according to a source. Acting in accordance with standard safety protocols, the pilots promptly declared an airborne emergency, transmitting a “squawk 7700” transponder code to alert air traffic control of the urgent situation.
The aircraft (an 11-year-old Boeing 737-800 registered as N8662F) was immediately cleared for an expedited descent and diversion into Charleston International Airport (CHS).
Emergency response vehicles met the aircraft upon its arrival in Charleston, where the pilots executed a safe, uneventful landing on Runway 15. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew members on board.
Southwest Airlines quickly scrambled to minimize disruptions for the stranded travelers. The airline dispatched a replacement aircraft, a newer Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration N8881L), to pick up the passengers.
Following a four-hour delay on the ground in Charleston, the travelers re-boarded and successfully continued their journey to Manchester. The flight is expected to arrive at its final destination approximately five hours behind schedule.
The affected Boeing 737-800 remains in Charleston, where maintenance teams are conducting a thorough inspection to determine the root cause of the issue.
