Philadelphia jet in emergency landing as engine 'explodes'

One person has been critically injured and seven others received medical treatment after a US passenger jet's engine ripped off midair.

Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 made an emergency landing in Philadelphia after a window, wings and the fuselage were damaged in the incident, officials say.

The flight was en route from New York's La Guardia airport to Dallas, Texas, with 143 passengers and five crew.

The Boeing Co 737-700 made a safe landing, said fire officials.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into the unexplained incident.
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Flight 1380 From NYC to Dallas crash landed in Philly. Engine exploded in the air and blew open window 3 seats away from...
Posted by Marty Martinez on Tuesday, 17 April 2018
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The father of one passenger aboard the plane told NBC Philadelphia that a woman was "partially sucked out" of a window after it was pierced by debris from the engine.

She was pulled back inside by other passengers, Todd Bauer added.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel told a news conference that one person was critically injured and taken to hospital, though he did not specify if it was a passenger or crew member.

He said seven others were treated at the scene for minor injuries, but they were not taken to hospital.
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What a flight! Made it!! Still here!!
#southwest #flight1380 pic.twitter.com/Cx2mqoXVzY
— Joe Marcus (@joeasaprap) April 17, 2018
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Fearing the worst

"All of a sudden, we heard this loud bang, rattling..." said one passenger.

"It just shredded the left-side engine completely... it was scary," Kristopher Johnson told CNN.

Photos have been shared on social media showing passengers sitting in oxygen masks as the plane shudders around them.

Timothy Bourman, a pastor from New York City, told The Inquirer and Daily News he had been sitting in the rear of the plane when he heard a loud boom.