Southwest Fuel Leak Charleston: Flight WN4761 Diverts Safely After Emergency

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 declared an emergency July 20 after the crew of Flight WN4761 detected a suspected fuel leak while cruising over South Carolina. The flight had originated from Orlando International (KMCO) and was bound for Manchester, New Hampshire. The crew squawked 7700 — the universal transponder code signaling an in-flight emergency — and diverted to Charleston International (KCHS).

Emergency response teams were staged and ready upon the Boeing 737-800's arrival at Charleston, according to reports from Geo.tv and Meyka. Officials confirmed no injuries occurred during the diversion or landing. The aircraft was held on the ground for a comprehensive maintenance inspection to identify the source of the fuel system irregularity, consistent with standard protocols for suspected fuel leaks at cruise altitude.

Passengers experienced a delay of approximately five hours before resuming their journey to Manchester aboard a replacement aircraft. Southwest Airlines had not issued a formal statement on the mechanical cause as of publication time.