Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737-800 Diverts to Spokane After Engine Shutdown

By Ivan PetrenkoJun 16, 2024 21:00 PMNews
Share:
SunCountry Airlines airplane is flying in the sky with clouds
SunCountry Airlines airplane is flying in the sky with clouds. Source: unsplash

On June 14th, 2024, a Sun Country Airlines flight from Seattle, Washington, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, experienced an inadvertent engine failure. The twin-engine Boeing 737-800 had a left engine failure during the cruise phase of the flight shortly after departing Seattle. The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported.

What Happened?

Sun Country Airlines Flight 286 operates a nonstop flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). However, an engine failure en route on Friday evening prevented the flight from being completed. According to the Aviation Herald, the aircraft reached its filed cruising altitude of 37,000 ft and was roughly 120 NM (222 km) east of Spokane International Airport (GEG) when the left engine, a CFM International CFM56 turbofan, failed.

The crew reported the engine failure, and after being unable to restart it, they shut it down and decided to divert. The engine failed approximately 45 minutes into the flight, according to the Flight Aware flight profile. The crew then turned around and landed safely on GEG’s runway 21, 30 minutes after the engine failure.

In a statement to Simple Flying, Sun Country Airlines said:

"Sun Country flight 286 from Seattle to Minneapolis St. Paul experienced an engine shutdown and diverted to Spokane Friday evening. Our pilots followed procedures, and the flight landed safely at Spokane. The safety of our passengers and crew are our priority, and we appreciate the work of our pilots and flight attendants to ensure the safety of our customers. We worked to provide accommodations for our passengers overnight, and the flight departed at 10:30 am local this morning on another aircraft. The flight is due to land in MSP in a few minutes."

The Boeing 737-800 (registered N856SY) is 10.3 years old and was delivered to the airline in March 2024. The cause of the engine failure has not been identified yet.

Engine Failure in Flight

Engines have come a long way since the early days of aviation when reliability was a significant issue. Today, engine failures are rare due to regular inspections and maintenance, but they do occur. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, turbine engines have a failure rate of one per 375,000 flight hours.

The most common causes of jet engine failures are similar to those of piston engines: fuel starvation or mechanical failure. Turbine engines are subjected to high pressures, temperatures, and stress.

The leading causes of mechanical failures are:

  • Blade Fatigue: Over time, the blades of the high-pressure and low-pressure turbines can wear out, resulting in micro-fissures that cause the blades to crack and break.
  • Bearing Failure: Bearings reduce the friction within an engine's spinning components and can fail due to normal wear and tear or poor lubrication.
  • Seal Deterioration: The engine seal helps maintain pressure in the different sections of the turbine engine. If a seal fails, the engine will cease producing thrust effectively.

The leading causes of fuel failures leading to engine failures are:

  • Fuel Contamination: Water or contaminants in the fuel can cause the engine to break down.
  • Fuel Distribution Issues: Fuel leaks and blockages could prevent the engine from receiving adequate fuel.
  • Pump Failures: Fuel pump failures prevent the engine from receiving fuel and can result in fuel starvation.

In Conclusion

The quick response of the Sun Country Airlines crew ensured the safety of all passengers during the engine failure incident. While engine failures are rare, this event highlights the importance of rigorous maintenance and the skills of aviation professionals in handling emergencies. The aircraft involved remains grounded pending inspection and maintenance.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Seating area inside Dublin Airport lounge overlooking runway with international aircraft in view

Dublin Airport Broadens Global Reach for Summer 2025

Mar 29, 2025 13:43 PM
A passenger taps their card at a train station ticket barrier using contactless payment

Ticket Office Cuts Raise Travel Concerns

Mar 29, 2025 11:27 AM

Brussels Airlines Unveils Refined Inflight Dining

Mar 29, 2025 09:36 AM

Southern Italy Rail Upgrades to Disrupt Travel

Mar 29, 2025 07:41 AM
flydubai aircraft on runway with mountain backdrop

flydubai Restores Pisa Flights Ahead of Summer

Mar 29, 2025 05:29 AM
Man participating in a public protest or demonstration, facing another person in conversation

Easter Travel at Risk Amid Heathrow PRM Staff Strike

Mar 29, 2025 03:34 AM
Silhouettes of travellers waiting at an airport terminal during sunset

Edinburgh Airport Unveils Passenger-Focused Upgrades for Summer

Mar 28, 2025 23:42 PM
A quiet British railway station with footbridge and empty platforms on a cloudy day

Historic Rail Celebrations Unlock New Travel Routes Across the UK

Mar 28, 2025 20:38 PM
Tail fins of Iberia aircraft parked at Madrid-Barajas Airport on a clear day

Airline Alliance Expands Travel Options Between Spain and Argentina

Mar 28, 2025 18:24 PM

Benidorm Reinvents Itself as Eco-Friendly Holiday Destination

Mar 28, 2025 16:43 PM

Air France Adds Hotel-Style Bedding to Business Class for Long-Haul Flights

Mar 28, 2025 14:37 PM
Passengers at London King’s Cross station beside LNER and other trains under a large arched roof

LNER Opens Advance Ticket Sales for Summer 2025 Travel Across the UK

Mar 28, 2025 12:26 PM
Jet2holidays airplane flying low over a coastal road near a populated area with parked vehicles and scenic green hills

Jet2 Adds Norway Fjord Trips from Newcastle and Leeds Bradford

Mar 28, 2025 10:50 AM
Dark storm clouds forming in the sky before heavy rainfall

Polar Vortex Raises Storm Risk for UK Travelers

Mar 28, 2025 02:41 AM
easyJet aircraft parked at airport gate on a sunny day

easyJet Expands Inflight Services for Summer Travellers

Mar 28, 2025 00:39 AM

Delays Expected on Northern Italy Rail Routes

Mar 27, 2025 22:45 PM

Jet2 Opening New Travel Horizons With Expanded Winter 2025/26 Routes from Newcastle

Mar 27, 2025 20:28 PM
People walking along a historic street in central Torino at sunset

Torino Opens to Travelers as 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism

Mar 27, 2025 18:33 PM
Ryanair plane landing at sunset at Manchester Airport

Manchester Expands African Flight Options

Mar 27, 2025 16:46 PM
Young woman using smartphone at a European train station

Interrail Booking Becomes Effortless with New Digital System

Mar 27, 2025 14:29 PM
Emirates A380 aircraft taxiing at Sydney Airport during sunset

Emirates Marks 25 Years with Enhanced Sydney Travel

Mar 27, 2025 12:31 PM
A First Class train operated by Transport for Wales approaching a station through a residential area

Michelin-Level Dining on Welsh Rails

Mar 27, 2025 10:44 AM

Travel Disruptions Expected as Helsinki Airport Protest Approaches

Mar 27, 2025 08:27 AM

Heavy Fog Disrupts Transport in Southern England

Mar 27, 2025 06:32 AM
Airplane with Star Alliance livery parked at gate at the airport

Star Alliance and ÖBB Partner to Boost Train-Flight Integration

Mar 26, 2025 23:37 PM
Dark railway tunnel with visible train tracks leading to a lit station exit

Weekend Rail Works to Disrupt Derbyshire Routes

Mar 26, 2025 21:41 PM