Spirit Airlines passengers must don life jackets after possible mechanical problem on Florida-bound flight: ‘It’s nerve wracking’

Passengers on a Spirit Airlines flight from Jamaica to Florida were urged to prepare for a water emergency Saturday after a possible mechanical problem.

Flight NK270 took off from Montego Bay on Saturday afternoon, bound for Fort Lauderdale, before returning to its point of origin shortly after takeoff “following a suspected mechanical problem”, the airlines said in a statement.

Passengers were advised to put on a life jacket and prepare for a water landing out of an abundance of caution, the airline said.

The Airbus A321 landed safely at Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay and guests disembarked normally, the airline said, adding that “the mechanical problem did not affect the safety of the flight.” . The passengers were transferred to a new flight to Fort Lauderdale, where they arrived just under 45 minutes late, according to FlightAware data.

“The pilot told us to prepare for a water landing and the highest emergency was called at MBJ,” a passenger told Jamaican daily The Gleaner, adding: “We were told the plane had lost weight. pressure”.

The passenger added: “It was nerve-wracking.”

The airline said the plane would be carefully evaluated by its maintenance team.

“We apologize to our guests for any inconvenience,” the airline said.

—Kathryn Krupnik contributed reporting.