Jennifer Riordan death: Southwest Airlines horror victim’s heartbroken family pay tribute to 'remarkable' mother

The mother-of-two was almost sucked out of the plane window after an engine explosion
Tributes have poured in for Jennifer Riordan who was killed after almost being sucked out of a plane window

A heartbroken family have paid tribute to a mother-of-two who was killed after she was almost sucked out of a Southwest Airlines plane window following a mid-air explosion.

The 41-year-olds “vibrancy, passion and love infused our community and reached across our country,” her heartbroken family said in a statement published by WFAA-TV.

They added that “her impact on everything and everyone she touched can never be fully measured.”

Tragically killed in a plane accident: Jennifer Riordan
AP

Ms Riordan's family described her as "the bedrock of our family”, adding: “Her beauty and love is evident through our children.”

She is the first person to be killed on a US commercial flight since 2009.

She was reportedly hit by shrapnel after the Boeing 737 blew an engine at 32,000ft on Tuesday.

Jennifer Riordan was killed in the horrifying incident
Facebook

Mrs Riordan, who worked for Wells Fargo bank, was well known in New Mexico where she graduated from university before building a career in community relations and communications over more than two decades.

Heroic pilot: Tammie Jo Shults

Mike English, a spokesman for Wells Fargo in New Mexico, said Riordan "was a well-known leader who was loved and respected."

The engine on the Boeing 737 as it sits on the runway
AP

New Mexico governor Susana Martinez called Riordan "an incredible woman who put her family and community first" and said her loss would be felt across the state.

"The hearts of all New Mexicans are with the Riordan family," Martinez, a Republican, said in a statement on Tuesday.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said his thoughts and prayers were with Riordan's family.

"Today, Albuquerque lost a thoughtful leader who has long been part of the fabric of our community," he said in a statement.

Keller said Riordan's leadership and philanthropic efforts "made this a better place every day and she will be terribly missed."

State Attorney General Hector Balderas called Riordan a dear friend.

"I was honoured to work with her on financial literacy issues for over a decade," said Balderas.

"Jennifer was exceptionally active and passionate in working to improve our community, and I express our sincerest condolences to her husband and children."

Riordan and her husband, Michael Riordan, a former chief operating officer for Albuquerque, had been married for more than 20 years.

The pilot of the plane, which had 149 people aboard, took it into a rapid descent and made an emergency landing in Philadelphia.

Southwest Airlines, which is based in Dallas, said there were no problems with the plane or its engine when it was inspected on Sunday.

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