The discount airline that recently made headlines for its poor handling of the Boeing whistleblower fiasco has made headlines again.
This time, guests on board a Spirit Airlines flight heading to Florida from Jamaica that had just taken off were told to prepare for a possible water landing. The aircraft was quickly turned around when the pilot discovered mechanical issues with the plane.
Airbus Headed to Fort Lauderdale
The Airbus was heading out of Montego Bay, Jamaica, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on May 26, when the pilot first noticed a “suspected mechanical issue” with the plane.
Passengers say that an alarm sounded when the pilot came on the intercom and warned the guests that the flight may need to make an emergency water landing and to prepare by grabbing the emergency floatation devices below their seats.
Chaos in the Cabin
Videos circulating online of the ordeal show a chaotic and unpleasant experience for the guests.
Although the plan ultimately made it safely back to the airport in Montego Bay, many people said that they were scared for their safety. CNN reached one passenger for comment who said that “It was scary, and people were freaking out and panicking.”
Guests Returned to Florida Safely Once Plane Was Grounded
After the plane grounded in Jamaica, Spirit Airlines secured a separate plane to reload the passengers and fly them safely, this time without any emergencies, to their final destination.
Videos of the ordeal show life vests scattered on the floors and seats and crying guests waiting to make a dramatic exit from the plane. Thankfully, a water landing did not occur.
Spirit Airlines Makes a Public Statement
After stories of the terrifying ordeal began circulating on social media, the airline issued a statement.
A spokesperson said, “Safety is our top priority, and the aircraft will be thoroughly evaluated by our maintenance team.” They apologized for any inconvenience they caused the passengers on board.
How Dangerous Are Water Landings?
Landings on solid ground in the case of an emergency are preferred. However, water landings might not be that dangerous for the passengers.
Generally, pilots take serious precautions to ensure that a water landing never occurs. When it does happen, however, guests can expect the most dangerous part of the landing to be the plane potentially flipping over. When this happens, passengers are not necessarily trapped. Floatation divides and slides can still be operated. In any case, emergency landings are terrible events and always have risks associated with them.
How Common Are Water Landings?
The Aviation Safety Network lists 312 forced emergency forced landings on water, which are often referred to as “ditching” the flight.
Since the 1930s, when air travel became affordable, there have been a number of successful water landings in the United States.
Miracle on the Hudson
One common example of plane ditching that many people turn to when thinking about successful landings is the story of the Miracle on the Hudson.
In 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 departed from LaGuardia when it lost all engine power. The Airbus A320 flew into a flock of geese, which caused the engine to malfunction and completely shut down.
A Successful Landing in New York Waters
The captain on board, Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullengerger III attempted to reach LaGuardia’s air tower to notify them of the plane’s immediate return. However, without the proper engine power, the plane was only able to glide downwards without paper.
Capt. Sullenberger attempted a risky water landing and notified his passengers of the risk. After three and a half minutes of gliding away from the city the plane was able to successfully land on the river.
What the Hudson Can Teach Other Pilots
The landing on the Hudson is a great example of a risky maneuver that saved countless lives. Only a few of the passengers were treated for hypothermia, and one flight attendant needed surgery due to a cut on her leg during the landing.
While water landings can often be disastrous, the Miracle on the Hudson serves as a reminder that captains are trained for emergencies and can work through even the most difficult situations.
Spirit Airlines Was Recently Accused of Safety Flaws in Manufacturing
For the past few months, Boeing airplanes and Spirit Airlines have been embroiled in a strange whistleblower lawsuit.
The two companies have been accused of using sub-standard parts and failing to complete adequate safety regulations on planes.
No Connection Is Currently Made Between the Emergency Landing and Allegations
So far, no one has made any allegations that Spirit may be operating one of the planes that failed to meet safety standards.
Regardless, many frequent flyers say that they choose to avoid discount flights. Air travel safety has been a given for many years, but the whistleblower accusations serve as a stark reminder that protocols need to be constantly adhered to so that standards do not slip.
