The plane carrying 36 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing due to a left engine failure and oil pressure issues on Monday night.

LUBBOCK, Texas — An American Airlines Flight 3573 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Midland, carrying 36 people, made an emergency landing in Lubbock on Monday night after the left engine failed and had oil pressure issues.

According to Derek Delgado, public information officer with Lubbock Fire Rescue, the Lubbock tower alerted crews around 6:30 p.m. that a plane was requesting an emergency landing.

LFR officials said their Airport Rescue Firefighting unit staged on the designated runway as a precaution.

The plane landed safely at Preston Smith International Airport. Fire crews followed and escorted the aircraft to its assigned gate, then conducted a 360-degree inspection to ensure there were no fires or injuries.

Delgado said the plane was carrying about three hours of fuel at the time.

Because no crash occurred, the incident is not under investigation. Delgado said he was unsure whether the emergency landing was weather-related, noting that mechanical issues involving commercial aircraft are rare. He also said he did not know the aircraft’s location at the time of the diversion. The emergency landing occurred around 6:51 p.m.

Officials said the plane diverted to Lubbock due to runway availability and the presence of a fully staffed fire crew capable of responding if needed.

LFR officials added that their crews train frequently. Lubbock is home to airport fire and rescue training props, and departments from across the country come to Preston Smith International Airport because it closely simulates real-world conditions.

NewsWest 9 reached out to the City of Midland, which confirmed that a flight from DFW to Midland made an emergency landing in Lubbock on Monday night. NewsWest 9 has also reached out to American Airlines for comment. 

NewsWest 9’s Sonji Milburn will continue to update this story as more information becomes available