Southwest 1380 passengers receive letter, $5,000, and travel voucher as compensation
PHILADELPHIA (WTXF/AP) - A number of passengers aboard the Southwest Airlines flight that was forced to make an emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport earlier this week will receive thousands of dollars in compensation, Fox News has learned.
Southwest Airlines sent passengers who were on Flight 1380 a check for $5,000 in hopes the compensation would restore their confidence in the airline, Kamu Siwatu, a college professor who was on the flight told Fox News.
"We value you as our customer and hope you will allow us another opportunity to restore your confidence in Southwest as the airline you can count on for your travel needs," the letter read. "In this spirit, we are sending you a check in the amount of $5,000 to cover any of your immediate financial needs."
Passengers also received a $1,000 travel voucher, according to the letter. Those who accept the money did not appear to be precluded from taking legal action in the future or pursuing a further financial settlement.
Jennifer Riordan, 43, died following the incident after she was nearly sucked out of a broken window. Passengers reportedly pulled her back in and other passengers tried to save her.
Seven other people were also injured in Tuesday's incident. The flight and its 144 passengers were flying from LaGuardia Airport in New York City to Dallas' Love Field.
Federal investigators said an engine fan blade that broke off in mid-flight was showing signs of metal fatigue -- microscopic cracks that can splinter open under the kind of stress placed on jetliners and their engines.
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U.S. airline regulators said Wednesday they had ordered inspections on blades like the one that snapped off and triggered the deadly chain of events.
The move by the Federal Aviation Administration comes nearly a year after the engine manufacturer recommended the additional inspections, and a month after European regulators ordered their airlines to do the work.