NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt's second media briefing on Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 investigation

18 April 2018: NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt provides update to the media on the Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 investigation.

[darrinward]

I think that pilot and crew did a fantastic job landing that aircraft with what was a multiple failure scenario . Besides the engine failure, you had a decompression emergency at 33, 000 feet . What I found interesting was the decision to land at flaps 5 which is a low setting. This makes me wonder if there was also a hydraulics issue going on? Perhaps the pilot wanted to make sure she would have sufficient hydraulics for spoilers and reverse thrust on touchdown . It would also explain why the pilot elected to have a long approach to the threshold of Runway 27 L . To the passenger who complained that the pilot did not make announcements until after landing...you should be glad she did not do so. Her purpose was first and foremost to land that plane without further incident .

[rickgoodson]

Like this guys briefings. He explains things well.

[EUPThatsMe]

There are videos of these engines on the test stand when a blade is failed intentionally. In those tests the intake cowling did not shatter as it has both times a blade failed in the field. Perhaps the static test of the engine needs to be done in a wind tunnel at cruise speed to see the true behavior of such an engine failure.

[RubenKelevra]

There should be cameras mediatory on all airplanes, saving to a type of black box. One for each side of the aircraft (pointed to the engines + wings), one for the tail section, one for the cockpit and one for the cabin. It would help so much on such incidents and no passengers would really need to make some shaky videos and send it later to the NTSB.

We got video recordings on every bus but we don't got one for an airplane carrieng hunderes and hundreds of people?

[blancolirio]

Great info thanks for posting so promptly.
Where was the last aircraft inspection conducted?

[Akeakamai]

I have my seat belt buckled snugly at all times during any flight.

[gordonbooth]

Superb coverage Juan, it's good to hear a no bullshit report and to see how many safety features are in place, both in construction of the planes, legislation and best of all, the people who operate them, cheers

[paullambert]

In August 2016, SWA Flight 3472 also suffered an uncontained failure of its left engine. Both engines in 1380 and 3472 are CFM56 turbofans and both failed when one of its fan blades snapped off mid-flight. Each violent event caused the front cowling of the engine to disintegrate, firing shrapnel into the side fuselage, but tragically 1380, hit the passenger cabin window of the aircraft.

[rjtoten]

I'm curious to know the state of the passenger's does it show any damage?

[JoeLinux]

Chairman Sumwalt is better with aircraft failures than bridge collapses. Good briefing. Well we know the fan blade broke. What can be done about it? Do fan blades need to be changed out regularly or just subjected to careful examination more frequently?

[williegillie]

None of the blade off tests were ever done during actual flight conditions. 50000 feet at 500 mph and at -55 Fahrenheit

[steveaytch]

Has the cvr recording been released yet?

[longlakeshore]

Cause of death isn't under NTSB's umbrella but whether the victim's lapbelt was fastened and failed if it was certainly is.

[Bitterrootbackroads]

He says the cabin pressure alarm was "shortly thereafter" the engine fail data. Normal cabin pressure is what altitude? And alarm sounds at 13-14k? Assuming one window gone-- how long does it take for normal cabin pressure to drop to 14k?

[jhillier]

We know she threw a blade, that's a given, and that is designed into the cowling to hold it. My question is why the cowling failed to hold the blade?

[WarblesOnALot]

G'day,

So, the outer end of the Broken Blade is not among the Fragments so far located...; meaning that the Failed Blade was only PARTIALLY Contained within the Engine.

Interesting...!

;-p

Ciao !

[rapidairifva]

R.I.P #1380






This is a sinceire RIP sign

[tannerrobinson]

I felt like I was watch some ASMR with this guy's voice.

[alanhardman]

I sure do wish the "professional" press representatives assigned the White House press briefings would ask relevant questions as these reporters are doing extremely well!

[forrestgumpv]

This is NOT a fan blade problem as stated. This is a bigger problem that involves several different engine manufactures that is related to " in flight engine backfiring " . If you google " airline engine failure " and look at the " images " you will find many of these engine cowlings being blown off with and without blade loss. China had 26 incidents last yr alone with the exact same problem. Look it up for