In show #42 of the Conversation at AirSafe.com, you will hear AirSafe.com founder Dr. Todd Curtis
discuss the $10.2 million proposed fine levied against Southwest Airlines by the FAA after because the airline allegedgly flew 46 of their aircraft while they were outside of comlpliance with an Airworthiness Directive.
Audio and video versions, plus show notes and transcripts
Significant Safety Events Since
1971 for Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has not had any fatal events involving a passenger since it began service in 1971. The following significant events were noteworhthy, but did not constitute a fatal event as defined by AirSafe.com
5 March 2000; Southwest Airlines 737-300; Burbank, CA:
The aircraft was on a scheduled flight Las Vegas to Burbank.
On arrival, the aircraft overran the end of the runway after after landing, coming to rest on a street adjacent to the airport.
None of the five crew members and 137 passengers were killed. Two passengers sustained serious injuries.
NTSB Accident Summary
NTSB Accident Report
11 August 2000; Southwest Airlines 737; en route from Las Vegas, NV to Salt Lake City, UT: The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City when about 20 minutes before landing, a 19 year old passenger became belligerent and attempted to enter the cockpit. While being escorted back to his seat, the 19 year old attacked another passenger. A number of other passengers subdued him until the aircraft landed. After landing, the now unconscious passenger was removed from the aircraft and he died several hours later. The medical examiner found traces of drugs in the dead passenger's system, but listed the cause of death as suffocation. The death was classified as a homicide, but none of the passengers involved in the incident were charged with a crime. No other crew members or passengers were seriously injured or killed. Because this passenger death was due at least in part to the deliberate actions of that passenger, this does not constitute a fatal event as defined by AirSafe.com.
8 December 2005; Southwest Airlines 737-700; Chicago, IL: The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Baltimore to Chicago's Midway Airport. After landing, the crew was unable to stop the aircraft on the runway, going off the runway, through the airport's barrier fence and onto a nearby street. At some point during this event, the nose wheel collapsed. The aircraft struck at least two vehicles, with the impact causing fatal injuries to a six year old boy who was a passenger in one of the vehicles. None of the five crew members or 95 passengers were seriously injured. This was the first serious accident involving the 737-700. Because this event did not cause a passenger fatality, it is not counted as a fatal event as defined by AirSafe.com.
Related Information
Definitions of Key Terms Used by AirSafe.com
http://airsafe.com/events/airlines/luv.htm -- Revised: 10 December 2007
