Robert Sumwalt of the NTSB has reported there was "one fatality"
A Southwest Airlines plane bound for Dallas made a successful emergency landing in Philadelphia after one of the planes engines exploded mid-flight. According to witnesses on the plane, part of the engine broke off and shattered a window causing the cabin to depressurize. One woman was partially sucked out of the window, but other passengers pulled her back to safety.
“One passenger, a woman, was partially … was drawn out towards the out of the plane … was pulled back in by other passengers," he said in a phone interview with NBC10.
At least one passenger was taken to the hospital and several people were injured in the accident. The NTSB said that one person died in the accident. It is unclear if the fatality is the same passenger who was taken to the hospital.
Marty Martinez, a passenger on the flight, posted a video on Facebook stating he was "recording his last moments."
"We were probably going down for 10 to 15 minutes," Martinez said. "And of course everyone is freaking out, everyone is crying. It was the scariest experience."
The plane landed safely at Philadelphia International Airport around 11:30 am local time. Southwest Airlines issued a statement about the incident.
Southwest Airlines flight 1380, which departed LaGuardia for Dallas Love Field (DAL) , diverted to PHL because of an operational event. The plane landed safely. No slides were deployed. At this time, passengers are coming down a mobile stairway and are being bussed to the terminal. PHL Flights continue to arrive and depart but passengers should expect delays.
One passenger posted a photo of the damaged engine to Twitter.
@SouthwestAir I want to thank the crew of SWA 1380 for a great job getting us to the ground safely after losing in engine #angelsinthesky