Woman dies after being partially sucked out of US flight
Plane made emergency landing after debris from exploded engine smashes window at 32,000ft
A woman has died after being partially sucked out of a plane when an engine blew up mid-flight between New York and Dallas.
The Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 was cruising at 32,000ft when parts of the engine exploded and smashed the window next to Jennifer Riordan, a Wells Fargo bank executive from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Riordan “was sucked out of the plane, as fellow passengers fought to drag her back inside”, reports Sky News.
They managed to pull her back in, and plugged the gap in the window, but Riordan had been hit by shrapnel. The 43-year-old mother-of-two, who was travelling for business, died from her injuries shortly after the plane made an emergency landing, in Philadelphia. Seven other people were injured in the incident.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The passengers “were praised for their efforts to save Riordan, giving her CPR after they managed to pull her back in and plug the hole in the window”, says Sky News.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said the would-be rescuers had done “some pretty amazing things under some pretty difficult circumstances”.
Other witnesses told how the pilot - identified as Tammie Jo Shults, one of the US Navy’s first female fighter pilots - expertly handled the danger.
“The pilot, Tammy Jo was so amazing! She landed us safely in Philly,” passenger Amanda Bourman wrote on Instagram, reports Daily Beast. Another passenger, Diana McBride Self, called Shults a “true American hero” for her “guidance and bravery in a traumatic situation”, adding that Shults spoke to each passenger personally after landing.
In an audio recording of the plane’s exchange with air traffic controllers in Philadelphia, a crew member “is heard to say the plane needs to slow down and an unidentified crew member reports that there is a hole in the plane and ‘someone went out’”, according to The Guardian.
Passenger Matt Tranchin told NBC how "the plane dropped immediately” and “ash was all around us”.
Another posted a Facebook Live video during the plane’s descent, with emergency oxygen masks dangling down in the cabin.
Riordan’s death is the first fatality from a US flight since 2009. The Albuquerque mayor, Tim Keller, said his thoughts and prayers were with her family. “Today, Albuquerque lost a thoughtful leader who has long been part of the fabric of our community,” Keller said in a statement.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published