FAA is investigating after a Santa Ana flight’s engine issue at LAX
Southwest Airlines Flight 3396 made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, after the crew reported an engine issue. The flight was bound from Santa Ana, California, to San Jose, California, when it was diverted. The Federal A2:25 p.m. local time, and the agency is investigating
How the flight unfolded
The flight declared a general emergency shortly after taking off from John Wayne Airport in Orange County around 11:30 a.m. local time, according to the Los Angeles Times. While it was flying at about 20,000 feet, the crew squawked the 7700 emergency code and headed for LAX instead of its planned destination at San Jose Mineta International Airport. The plane touched down roughly an hour after takeoff.
LAX confirmed that the aircraft landed without incident on Runway 25L.
What the airline and regulators said
Southwest said its pilots followed established procedures and landed the aircraft uneventfully. The airline praised the professionalism of its pilots and flight crew. Southwest also said it would accommodate passengers on another aircraft to San Jose, and it stressed that the safety of customers and employees is its top priority.
The FAA spokesperson described the problem only as an engine issue. The agency has said it will investigate the incident.
What is still unknown
The cause and details of the engine-related issue have not been disclosed. Reports do not say how many passengers were on board or whether anyone was injured, and the reviewed coverage does not include a statement from the National Transportation Safety Board. The investigation will determine what led to the warning and whether any further action is needed.
Why the incident matters
Emergency declarations are rare, and the crew’s use of the 7700 code is the standard way to signal an emergency to air traffic control. The outcome, a safe landing at the nearest suitable major airport, reflects the procedures the airline described. Until the FAA releases its findings, however, the reasons for the engine warning remain unclear.
