Passenger sues Southwest Airlines over exploding engine

A passenger who says she's been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder since an engine exploded on a Southwest flight is suing the airline and the engine manufacturer

Associated Press

April 28, 2018

The engine on a Southwest Airlines plane is inspected as it sits on the runway at the Philadelphia International Airport after it made an emergency landing in Philadelphia, Tuesday, April 17, 2018. (Amanda Bourman via AP)

A passenger who says she’s been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder since an engine exploded on a Southwest Airlines flight is suing the airline and the manufacturer of the engine.

The lawsuit by Lilia Chavez filed Thursday in federal court in Philadelphia alleges negligence by Dallas-based Southwest and engine maker CFM International.

Chavez says she was sitting three seats behind a window that shattered after the engine exploded on Flight 1380 on April 17. She says she witnessed “the horror” as the force of depressurization pulled fellow passenger Jennifer Riordan partially through the shattered window. Riordan later died.

The plane traveling from New York to Dallas made an emergency landing in Philadelphia.

WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Southwest said it could not comment on pending litigation.

CFM representatives did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.