Mark Makela/Reuters
Some Southwest Airlines passengers aboard a flight that suffered a deadly engine failure earlier this week have received $5,000 checks as part of the airline’s “sincere apologies,” CNN reports. “We value you as our customer and hope you will allow us another opportunity to restore your confidence in Southwest as the airline you can count on for your travel needs,” the airline reportedly wrote in a letter received by at least three passengers so far. Passenger Kamau Siwatu told CNN the airline sent him an apology letter along with a $5,000 check to cover any “immediate financial needs.” The reported letters come as many have begun to question how the airline failed to spot a crack on a fan blade in the engine that investigators believe caused the lethal malfunction. Nearly 150 people were on Flight 1380 from New York City to Dallas on Tuesday when the plane’s engine blew out at 32,000 feet, leaving one woman fatally injured and other passengers believing they were about to die as the plane rapidly descended. Legal experts say the airline could be liable for tens of millions of dollars in damages if passengers decide to sue over the experience.