NTSB: Piece of engine cover broke window on Southwest Flight 1380

A newly released NTSB report reveals what shattered the window on Southwest Flight 1380, that resulted in the death of a female passenger.

According to the report, the NTSB says a fan blade broke off, sparking a chain reaction that left the engine cover, left wing, and fuselage with major damage, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport.

Investigators now say a gouge mark next to the row 14 window was created by a piece of the engine cover. They now believe that piece of the engine cover is what caused the window to break, killing 43-year-old Jennifer Riordan, who was in the seat at the time of the impact.

Despite their recent findings, the NTSB says it could take up to a year, or longer, to figure out exactly what caused the accident. Investigators had previously said the fan blade has shown signs of metal fatigue and cracking from repeated use that are too small to be seen by the naked eye.

Following the deadly incident, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered ultrasound inspections of hundreds of jet engines that were like the one that blew apart on Southwest Flight 1380.

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