Southwest Flight 1380 Passengers and Crew Meet President Trump in Oval Office

May 01, 2018

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3 min read

Southwest Flight 1380 Passengers and Crew Meet President Trump in Oval Office

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The crew of Southwest Flight 1380, which had one fatality after its engine exploded in April, met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday in the Oval Office.

The flight's crew, and especially its pilot Captain Tammie Jo Shults, have been lauded since the incident for keeping their composure under pressure and safely landing the aircraft during a cabin depressurization and a medical emergency on board.

"Tammie did an incredible job," Trump said from behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office. He also commended her for her "life-saving job" in landing the plane safely.

The president also thanked First Officer Darren Ellisor and the flight's cabin crew for "displaying exemplary leadership" during the emergency landing and doing a "fantastic job."

"You were a little bit nervous up there?" Trump asked the flight attendants, Rachel Fernheimer, Seanique Mallory and Kathryn Sandoval.

"Not at all," they responded.

"That's a fantastic job," Trump told them. "They said you were calm, and cool and strong. Thank you very much."

Several of Flight 1380's passengers also met Trump at the White House. Trump thanked Tim and Kristin McGinty, Stephanie and Andrew Needum and Peggy Philips for risking their safety to pull Jennifer Riordan, the sole fatality, back into the plane and administer CPR. "These Americans responded with tremendous bravery," the president said. "Your bravery, your compassion, we really appreciate it," he told the passengers.

Trump also addressed the victim of the flight's engine explosion. "Our hearts break for the family of the passenger who tragically lost her life, Jennifer Riordan," he said. "We send our prayers to Jennifer's husband and their two beautiful young children. We ask God to hold this family close as they grieve the loss of a loving wife and mother."