On April 17, 2018 a domestic Southwest Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing due to an engine blow out. It resulted in one death and multiple other injuries. Southwest is on Twitter’s trending page today and the hashtag #Southwest is being used repeatedly.
EMERGENCY LANDING at #PHL airport- 1 person hospitalized. #Southwest plane from #LGA was headed to #Dallas when it appears the left engine caught fire @6abc (viewer photos) pic.twitter.com/vWikkwLczG
— Maggie Kent (@MaggieKent6abc) April 17, 2018
A few passengers that survived took to social media to live-stream the flight, or post photos documenting their experience. The audio between the pilot and control center was also released to social media where social media users could hear the emergency unfold.
Just confirmed with family members that the co-pilot of #Southwest flight 1380 that made an emergency landing today is Darren Ellisor (seen in this photo from a passenger). A hero who helped save dozens of lives! (photo credit: @EMMS_MrJohnson) pic.twitter.com/AHurEcl96a
— Hema Mullur (@HemaMullur) April 17, 2018
There appeared to be two opposing views on the incident from social media users. The majority praised the pilot, calling her a hero and championing the fact that she was a women and previously served in the navy. Many others expressed gratitude for the entire flight crew and airline as a organization.
NEW: The first woman ever to fly a #Navy F-18 fighter jet is the one who safely landed the #Southwest jet today. One life sadly lost. 150 more saved because of the skills & bravery of Southwest pilot #TammieJoShults. #Fox35 https://t.co/ksdzjecP99
— Amy Kaufeldt (@Fox35Amy) April 17, 2018
@SouthwestAir hs always bn & will continue 2b my fav airline. The crew handled ths as best thy cld. Thank GOD thr wr not more deaths thn 1 bcuz we all knw ths cld've bn much worse. My ❤ & 🙏 go out 2the victims, injured & their families. Thank u #southwest I got much ❤ 4u all.
— J. Washington (@jwashington37) April 18, 2018
Others blamed the airline as an organization and expressed they did not want to fly Southwest again in the near future.
That makes two terrifying #Southwest flights this week. What is going on over there? https://t.co/RRCApLyQsn
— Mark Ziemer (@sylvisual) April 17, 2018
This is scary and hopefully Southwest owns up to the accident and fixes any future problems. #travel #Southwest @kMcMulls #companionpass https://t.co/ROC5YPkbT8
— Joel Mag (@JoelMagdo) April 18, 2018
While the organization formulated these two opposing public opinions on the incident, all were communications on social media through the hashtag #Southwest. This is just one example of the power of social media and how one hashtag can spread news, thoughts and opinions on a single event across the country.