Passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight experienced a terrifying midair emergency after the plane’s windshield reportedly cracked — and then suddenly “exploded” while cruising at 37,000 feet.
The frightening incident happened Monday aboard Southwest Flight 2665, which had taken off from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was headed to Baltimore, Maryland.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Boeing 737 was forced to divert to Tulsa International Airport in Oklahoma after the flight crew reported a cracked windshield during the trip.
The emergency reportedly unfolded just over an hour after takeoff.
Passenger George Gonzales told local news outlet KRQE that travelers were stunned when pilots announced the plane would need to make an emergency landing.
“They mentioned nothing struck the aircraft,” Gonzales explained.
“It was just the windshield started cracking, and then it just exploded.”
The passenger praised the pilots for safely getting the aircraft on the ground despite the terrifying situation unfolding in the cockpit.
The plane ultimately landed safely in Tulsa around 4:20 p.m. local time, according to the FAA.
Southwest Airlines later confirmed that the aircraft landed without further incident and said passengers were transferred onto another plane to continue their trip to Maryland.
“The flight landed uneventfully and customers were reaccommodated to Baltimore on another aircraft,” the airline said in a statement.
Southwest also praised the crew’s handling of the frightening emergency.
“We appreciate the professionalism of our flight crew,” the airline added.
“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
Data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft was flying at approximately 37,000 feet when the windshield issue occurred.
Passengers reportedly did not arrive in Baltimore until nearly midnight after being delayed for hours following the emergency diversion.
The FAA has not yet released additional details about what caused the windshield to crack midair.
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