A Spirit Airlines plane heading from Jamaica to Florida was forced to return to Jamaica on Sunday due to a “suspected mechanical issue,” with the pilot warning passengers of a possible water landing, CNN reported.
Bettina Rogers, one of the passengers on the plane, said: CNN During takeoff, two strange chimes were heard and the pilot initially told passengers there was nothing to worry about. The pilot called passengers five minutes later to say the plane was turning and passengers were told “[p]”The aircraft is undergoing repairs for an emergency water landing,” CNN reported. (Related article: ‘I can’t breathe… it’s George Floyd’: Female Spirit Airlines passenger’s intense emotional breakdown captured on video)
Spirit Airlines passengers said the cabin was bracing for a possible water landing after the plane experienced apparent mechanical issues.https://t.co/wBNQQT41Te
— Jack Scott – Business Consultant/Coach (@JWalterScott) May 28, 2024
“It was scary and people were panicking,” Rogers told the outlet. A video posted to TikTok showed passengers reacting to the dire announcement.
translation: A Spirit Airlines plane made its first emergency landing today 🤦🏾♀️#Emergency landing #SpiritFlight #Water Landing #fyp#Jamaica #This day #page ♬ Jamaica Jamaica – Busy signal
According to CNN, the plane returned safely to Jamaica without landing on water. Spirit Airlines said in a statement that the pilot’s decision to turn back was made “out of an abundance of caution” and that passengers deplaned “per standard procedures,” according to the release.
The airline said a new plane had been chartered to take them to their destination in Florida.
“Safety is our top priority and the aircraft will be thoroughly inspected by our maintenance team,” Spirit said in a statement, according to the report. “We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience caused.”
