Southwest Plane Engine Explodes Mid-Flight

A Southwest Airlines flight from New Orleans to Orlando, Florida, was diverted after a problem with an engine.  

Spokesman from the airlines, Chris Mainz, said the flight landed in Pensacola, Florida, around 9.40am Saturday. 

Mainz says there were no injuries to the 99 passengers and five crew members. 

A Southwest Airlines flight from New Orleans to Orlando was diverted after a problem with an engine. Spokesman from the airlines, Chris Mainz, said the flight landed in Pensacola, Florida, around 9.40am Saturday. The plane also sustained other damage to the fuselage (right)

He says the plane is out of service and can't continue to Orlando and Southwest is trying to find other ways to get passengers there. 

A passenger on board the flight, who is also a Twitter user, captured the moment she and another passenger had to put on oxygen masks while in flight.  

She took several photos of the incident that show the Boeing's engine inlet completely torn away.

The spokesman said the failure caused a depressurization of the cabin, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A passenger on the plane told the Journal: 'There was the loud explosion but after that it was very controlled. Scary, but in control.'

The passenger added that everyone 'cheered for the pilot when we landed safely'. 

The 'loud explosion' as described by a passenger left the engine's inlet (left) completely torn away. The jet's fuselage, front edge of the wing, horizontal tail stabilizer and winglet were also damaged

The jet's fuselage, front edge of the wing, horizontal tail stabilizer and winglet were also damaged.

Southwest Airlines has notified the National Transportation Safety Board and Mainz says the airline will inspect the damage when authorized.

They will also work with the agency to determine the cause of the problem.

A Boeing spokesman said in a statement to the Journal that it would serve as technical adviser for any inquiry.

Southwest Airlines has notified the National Transportation Safety Board and Mainz says the airline will inspect the damage when authorized. They will also work with the agency to determine the cause of the problem