Photo: Bloomberg
A video shared online shows a Spirit Airlines pilot instructing scared passengers to prepare for a potential water landing during a flight from Jamaica to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday (May 26), Local 10 reports.
Passenger Bettina Rogers shared video footage of the emergency landing on her TikTok account, which showed her wearing a life jacket and included a chiming signal being heard twice, along with the caption, "the scariest flight ever emergency water landing was activated still in Jamaica." Rogers said the pilot told the passengers that there was "nothing to be alarmed about" before revealing that the plane needed to return to Jamaica about five minutes later.
The pilot then told the passengers to "prepare for emergency water landing" as the plane turned back.
“In the moment, I’m shaken up,” Rogers said via Local 10. “I had a whole bunch of problems as well as some of the other guests trying to get the life jacket from under the seat."
The plane was, however, able to make a safe landing back on the Montego Bay airport tarmac.
“This will be something that’s going to stick with me forever. For the rest of my life," Rogers said via Local 10, adding that she was issued a flight credit and meal voucher.
Spirit Airlines issued a statement obtained by Local 10 in response to the incident.
"Spirit Airlines flight 270 (MBJ-FLL) returned to Montego Bay (MBJ) on May 26 out of an abundance of caution following a suspected mechanical issue," said Tommy Fletcher, Spirit Airlines Senior Media Relations Specialist. "The plane landed safely at MBJ and taxied to the terminal where Guests deplaned under normal procedures. Safety is our top priority, and the aircraft will be thoroughly evaluated by our maintenance team."