The event relates to a bizarre incident involving the explosion of the Southwest Airline flight 1380 left engine that led to death of 43-year old Jennifer Riordan in Philadelphia. The explosion send shrapnel into window next to seat 14C where the victim was seated, breaking the window, and the sudden decompression sucking the victim out of the plane. Two passengers adjacent to the victim pulled the woman back into the plane. The April 17 event happened when the Boeing 737 flight was 32,000 feet above the ground en route to Dallas. She was pulled back but died because of the exposure (Stanglin 1).
Event in relation to Communication
The event relates to communication problem associated with the Southwest Airlines and probably the Boeing Aircraft Company. In the first place, when the incident happened, those seated next to the victim tried pulling her back into the plane with no avail. The prolonged exposure before she was pulled back probably caused her death. The seatmates could have informed the air crew manning the plan, to come and assist. Their fear of causing panic in the plane caused death which could have saved Riordan. The crew had probably not informed the passengers what to do in such an occurrences, although rare. The crew could also have communicated to the passengers how to react when such an incident happens.
Suggestions to Improve the Situation
Communication breakdown was viewed as the main cause of the incident outcome (death). The crew should inform the passengers on emergency preparedness and response, including rare events like the breaking of windows, which are rarely occur. It should be made mandatory to mention some rare cases and the expected reaction. The seatmates of the victim should have raised an alarm as fast as possible, requesting for help. Passengers should be informed on when to ask for help, including raising attention of responsible people (crew). The other suggestion is that the Boeing and Southwest Airlines should have communicated on the dangers of engine explosion to passengers, including the first reactions. Probably the engine was not inspected as expected thus causing the explosion.
Works Cited
Stanglin, Doug, “Husband of woman killed on Southwest flight: 'I immediately thought of the kids,’” Accessed from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/04/25/husband southwest-flight-victim-first-thought-how-tell-their-kids/549088002/
