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Passengers on Southwest Jet in Mid-Flight Explosion Get Apology, Will Receive Money

When Flight 1380’s engine blew and a window shattered, passengers and crew members strapped on oxygen masks and waited as pilot Tammie Jo Shults steered them toward Philadelphia for an emergency landing

Each passenger on board the Southwest Airlines flight that made an emergency landing in Philadelphia after an engine exploded and tore a hole in the plane will receive thousands of dollars in compensation.

The airline apologized and gave each passenger $5,000 in compensation and a $1,000 travel voucher, NBC News’ Tom Costello reported.

“Ours is a company and culture built on relationships,” Southwest said in a statement supplied to NBC10 Philadelphia. “Many of the Customers on that flight have flown with us before. We can confirm the communication and gesture are authentic and heartfelt.”

An engine on Southwest 1380 exploded over Pennsylvania on Tuesday, and debris hit the plane. Jennifer Riordan, a 43-year-old bank executive from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was sucked partway out of the jet when a window shattered. She died later from her injuries.

Cherub Ruth, a survivor of the Southwest 1380, describes what it was like being on board the plane when an engine blew. She says pilot Tammie Jo Shults’ voice over the intercom gave her hope.

When Flight 1380’s engine blew and a window shattered, passengers and crew members strapped on oxygen masks and waited as pilot Tammie Jo Shults steered them toward Philadelphia for an emergency landing.

For most people, the experience was filled with uncertainty as debris swirled down the aisle of the Boeing 737 and gusts of wind made it difficult to hear.

Investigators said the blade that broke off mid-flight and triggered the deadly accident was showing signs of metal fatigue — microscopic cracks from repeated use.

The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the incident.

[NATL-PHI-PHOTOS] Southwest Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Philly After Engine Blows

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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