Southwest plane with cracked window diverted to Cleveland

<p>A cracked window on a Southwest Airlines plane forced a plane heading from Chicago to New Jersey to land in Cleveland Wednesday.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 2, 2018, 5:02 PM

Updated 2,179 days ago

Share:

Southwest plane with cracked window diverted to Cleveland
By MARK GILLISPIE and DAVID KOENIG
Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) - A cracked window on a Southwest Airlines plane forced a plane heading from Chicago to New Jersey to land in Cleveland Wednesday, just two weeks after a jet engine blew apart and broke a window in a deadly accident aboard another Southwest flight.
There were no reports of injuries after Flight 957 landed safely.
Dallas-based Southwest said that the plane diverted to Cleveland for a maintenance review after the damage to one of the multiple layers of window pane. Photos from inside the plane taken by passengers and posted on social media showed one window with a large, jagged crack.
Southwest didn't immediately release details on how the window was damaged.
Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Brandy King said that the pilots decided to land in Cleveland "for maintenance review" of one layer in a multi-layered window pane. She said the plane never lost cabin pressure - that would have triggered oxygen masks to drop down for passengers - and that the pilots did not declare an emergency before landing.
King said there were no other mechanical problems with the plane, which was taken out of service. The airline was trying to make arrangements to get the 76 passengers to Newark on another plane.
The timing of the incident could hardly be worse for Dallas-based Southwest, the nation's fourth-biggest airline. Airline executives said last week they have seen ticket sales slow since the April 17 engine failure than sent debris flying into a plane, breaking a window and killing a passenger, 43-year-old Jennifer Riordan of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Southwest estimates the drop in sales will cost it between $50 million and $100 million.
After the Philadelphia emergency landing, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered inspections of more jet engines like the one that blew apart at 32,000 feet on that Boeing 737 jet. The National Transportation Safety Board believes one of the blades snapped on the Southwest flight, hurling debris that broke a window.
Riordan died of injuries suffered after she was partially sucked out of a window that had been broken by shrapnel. The jet, which was headed from New York to Dallas, made an emergency landing in Philadelphia.
___
Koenig reported from Dallas.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


More from News 12
2:24
Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

2:12
Rain is on the way for tonight and early Saturday, warmer temps on the way

Rain is on the way for tonight and early Saturday, warmer temps on the way

2:25
CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

1:14
Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

1:50
FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

0:29
Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

0:21
Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

0:29
Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

0:54
Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

2:34
Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

2:11
Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

2:27
17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

2:17
Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary

Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary

2:05
Monroe police say they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case

Monroe police say they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case

0:46
CT electric bills set to increase following regulators' approval of rate adjustment

CT electric bills set to increase following regulators' approval of rate adjustment

2:05
Eversource announces suspension of new electric vehicle charging rebates

Eversource announces suspension of new electric vehicle charging rebates

0:22
NHL's Coyotes officially leaving Arizona - but won't be coming to Connecticut

NHL's Coyotes officially leaving Arizona - but won't be coming to Connecticut

1:58
Darien officials oppose proposed dispensary on Darien-Stamford border

Darien officials oppose proposed dispensary on Darien-Stamford border