Video shows flames shooting from Southwest plane engine force emergency landing

Flames shooting from a plane's engine midair prompted a Southwest Airlines flight to make an emergency landing this week in Texas.

Terrifying footage from part of a video shot by a passenger shows fire spitting from what appears to be the plane's right engine for at least 30 seconds.

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'A mechanical issue'

A Southwest spokesperson Alyssa Foster told USA TODAY Flight 307 took off from William P. Hobby Airport in Houston Tuesday night bound for Cancun when it experienced "a mechanical issue" shortly after takeoff.

Foster did not elaborate on what exactly took place.

The flight then returned to the airport, where Foster said it landed safely and was taken out of service for review.

A different aircraft continued the flight to its original destination later that night, the spokesperson said.

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No injuries reported

No injuries were reported.

"We applaud the crew for their professionalism, and we appreciate our customers’ patience," Foster said.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Southwest engine on Houston to Cancun catches fire midair, video shows