How Many Crashes Has Southwest Airlines Had

So, you're curious about whether Southwest Airlines has ever crashed? Funny you should ask — pull up a chair, grab your coffee, and let's dig into this. Spoiler alert: their record is actually way better than you might expect.

Here's the thing — Southwest has been around since 1967, and yes, they've had some scary moments. But if you're picturing a smoking pile of metal, you'll be pleasantly surprised. The answer is shorter (and simpler) than most people think.

The Short Answer

Southwest Airlines has serious crashes? Honestly, the count of full-blown fatal crashes — meaning the aircraft is destroyed on impact and multiple lives are lost — is surprisingly low. For decades of flying, that's pretty impressive.

Their most tragic and widely known incident was Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 on April 17, 2018. One passenger, Jennifer Riordan, lost her life after a window was breached by engine debris. But the plane landed safely — it wasn't a total crash in the way you're probably imagining.

Making Sense of "Crash" vs. "Incident"

Okay, quick reality check — not every scary man on a runway is classified as a "crash." Airlines track everything from hard landings to minor overruns, and all of it counts as some form of accident. But most of us mean something dramatic when we say the word.

Southwest has had its share of incidents and accidents — engine failures, rough landings, tire blowouts on takeoff — that kind of stuff. None of those, though, amounted to a catastrophic event where the plane was destroyed. And that's a big deal in aviation.

1 dead after Southwest Airlines engine explodes - CBS News

Honestly, think about how many flights Southwest operates every single day. Thousands. Cancel that, tens of thousands per year. And their overall crash record? Spotless by most applicable measures — just think about that for a second.

The Big One: Flight 1380

Let's zoom in on that 2018 incident because it's the one everyone talks about. A fan blade on the right engine broke off mid-flight — the engine belched fire, debris pelted the fuselage, and a window blasted open. Passengers were terrified, and rightfully so.

What followed was honestly one of the most nail-biting landings in recent U.S. airline history. The crew rushed into Philadelphia, and all 149 other passengers survived. Jennifer Riordan's passing was devastating — it was the first passenger fatality in Southwest's entire history.

Live: Southwest flight suffers jet engine failure | CNN

This incident, notably, had nothing to do with poor maintenance or pilot error. It was a metal fatigue issue with a Pratt & Whitney engine fan blade. The aviation world responded with inspections and lessons learned — because that's how this industry works.

Other Notable Bumps Along the Way

Decades earlier, Southwest had some runway incidents and minor accidents during their scrappy frontier days. Think tire blowouts, go-arounds, and the occasional sloppy landing — the kind that make you grip your armrests a little tighter. Nothing that caused mass casualties, though.

In 1977, they had a runway backlash incident where no one was gravely hurt, and over the years they've experienced a handful of engine trouble situations similar to Flight 1380. Each one brought scrutiny, but also refined safety protocols. That's aviation — you learn, then you fly better.

Southwest Airlines: One Passenger Died After Exploding Left Engine

So, How Safe Are They, Really?

The truth? Southwest has maintained an exceptional safety record for an airline of their size. They fly the beloved Boeing 737 fleet — one plane type, one seat layout — which conservatively means fewer surprises. Less variety, fewer things can go wrong.

And here's a thought: with over 50 years in operation carrying billions of passengers, one fatal incident in 2018 is statistically remarkable. Way better odds than driving to the airport yourself, honestly. What are your odds walking down the street?

So next time you book a Southwest flight and feel that little flutter of anxiety, remember — hands down, their record holds up. Air travel, in general, remains the safest way to travel, and Southwest puts themselves right near the top of that list. Now sip your coffee and exhale, okay?