Machinists (IAM) member and ExpressJet Flight Attendant Sandra Hinojosa was honored last week for her heroism and quick response to avert a potentially catastrophic event on an August United Airlines flight operated by ExpressJet.

The Excellence in Safety Award was presented by the IAM Joint Air Transport Safety Committee (JATSC).

Hinojosa was the sole flight attendant on United Airlines flight 6187 from Sioux Falls, S.D., to Denver on Aug.  4, when she noticed smoke billowing in the galley of the Embraer 145. Upon closer inspection, Hinojosa saw flames. She then quickly pulled the breaker, called the captain to report a fire onboard and instructed him to land the aircraft. Then she grabbed the Halon fire extinguisher and put out the fire.

As the oxygen masks dropped, Hinojosa noticed a passenger who damaged his mask. She quickly proceeded to administer oxygen to the passenger from the portable oxygen bottle.

IAM Transportation Vice President Sito Pantoja said:

Sandra is an example of the importance of the flight attendant profession to the safety of every person who steps aboard an aircraft.