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Hero Pilot's Conversation With Air Traffic Control Revealed

Hero Pilot's Conversation With Air Traffic Control Revealed

She calmly tells air traffic control that part of the plane is missing

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A conversation between the heroic pilot of the Southwest flight 1380 and air traffic control has been released.


Pilot Tammie Jo Shults has been hailed a hero after successfully carrying out an emergency landing in Philadelphia after an engine burst at 32,000 feet.

Passenger Jennifer Riodan was partially sucked out of a window after the blow out sent pieces of shrapnel through the plane.

In a recording between Tammie and a man from air traffic control, the latter says: "Southwest 1380, I understand your emergency. Let me know when you want to go in."

The pilot calmly says: "We have part of the aircraft missing. So we're going to need to slow down a bit."

Air traffic control then tells her: "Southwest 1380, speed is your discretion. Maintain at any altitude above 3,000 feet."

He then helps direct her towards the airport and Tammie asks: "OK. Could you have the medical meet us there on the runway as well? We've got injured passengers."

Jennifer Riordan died after being partially sucked out of a window.
PA

He asks if the plane is on fire, to which she responds: "No, it's not on fire but part of it is missing. They said there is a hole and someone went out."

Passenger Amanda Bourman told CBS that when the plane landed everyone began to clap and praise the pilot.

Taking to Instagram, she shared a photo of the destroyed engine and wrote: "Our engine that blew out at 38000 ft. A window blew out, a man saved us all as he jumped to cover the window...the pilot, Tammy Jo, was so amazing! She landed us safely in Philly."

PA

When the plane landed, medics were on-hand to deal with any casualties. Seven people out of 149 aboard the flight were treated for their injuries.

Passenger Alfred Tumlinson told the Associated Press: "She (the pilot) has nerves of steel. That lady, I applaud her. I'm going to send her a Christmas card - I'm going to tell you that - with a gift certificate for getting me on the ground. She was awesome. The lady, the crew, everything, everybody was immaculate. They were so professional in what they did to get us on the ground."

Tammie's proud brother-in-law, Gary Shults, told the news outlet: "She's a formidable woman, as sharp as a tack. My brother says she's the best pilot he knows. She's a very caring, giving person who takes care of lots of people."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: flight, Airplane, US News