If you turned on the news or looked at a current events website in the past week, you undoubtedly saw the terrible news of Southwest Airlines flight 1380. The aircraft left New York bound for Dallas on 4/17. About 20 minutes after takeoff, an un-contained engine failure caused damage to the wing and part of the fuselage. This resulted in a rapid de-pressurization of the cabin and tragically, a passenger was fatally wounded, presumably by flying debris.
Fortunately however, sitting in the pilot seat was Captain Tammie Jo Shutls, a former Navy pilot and flight instructor. She was able to make an emergency landing in Philadelphia and save 143 passengers. While pilots train for a single engine failure, and a rapid de-pressurization, they do not train for both events at once. Shults was thrust into an extremely dangerous situation, but remained calm and is being praised for her grace under pressure. Needless to say, the 143 survivors of the flight will surely join me in calling this woman a real American hero. Thank you Tammie Jo!