Terror at 30,000 Feet

For those afraid of flying, it is easy to conjure a nearly infinite amount of scenarios wherein something goes terribly wrong with a plane. Among the most alarming that any passenger could imagine is a window blowing free, decompressing the cabin and pulling people into thin air. This is precisely what threatened to happen when a wing engine exploded on a Southwest Airlines flight on April 17th, 2018.

The incident is drawing attention to Federal Aviation Administration guidelines on engine maintenance and inspection. The accident was caused by a fan blade snapping off, resulting in an engine explosion. The FAA will now require these engine components to be inspected before use, where before airlines were allowed up to 12 months to make these inspections.

Mandating safety inspections for airplanes seems like an obvious requirement. Mechanical failure in a car or motorcycle is dangerous enough, but when such an incident happens seven and a half miles in the air, the risk of multiple deaths is much higher. Addressing loopholes in existing rules and enforcement must happen.

This incident could have been much worse if not for an experienced pilot and brave passengers who risked injury to pull a woman back into the plane. Still, one person was killed after suffering a heart attack, and all of the passengers likely experienced significant emotional distress that could haunt them for the rest of their lives.

If you or someone you love has suffered due to a plane crash or other plane accident, please consult with an experienced attorney. Even if physical injuries did not occur, the psychological damage could require extensive therapy or other treatments. A qualified lawyer can help you make your case and ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to for your emotional and physical distress.