‘We’re about to go into the ocean’: Passengers on Florida-bound flight should prepare for possible water landing

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Passengers on a Florida-bound flight were scared after being asked to don life jackets for a possible “emergency water landing” due to a problem presumed mechanic on Sunday.

The incident occurred on Spirit Airlines Flight 270 from Montego Bay to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

A Spirit spokesperson told NBC affiliate WTVJ that the plane “suffered a suspected mechanical problem” and returned to Montego Bay, Jamaica, “out of an abundance of caution.” However, passengers said the experience was traumatic.

Cellphone video obtained by WTVJ shows passengers donning yellow life jackets, clutching onto seats before a collective gasp is heard.

The passengers were in the air for about 10 minutes when the pilot then asked more than 200 people on board to put on life jackets and prepare for a water landing.

“He told us exactly that we had to do an emergency water landing and in that moment, fear went through my bones. Everyone on the plane freaked out,” passenger Will Smith told WTVJ. “When I looked out the window, all I saw was blue, so I think it’s real. We’re about to go into the ocean. I’m saying my prayers to die at this point, seriously. It was so traumatic. I thought I wouldn’t make it.

Shancy Faison, who was traveling with her husband, said she had a slight moment of panic after her life jacket wouldn’t open.

“They didn’t specify what was wrong,” she said. “We were coming back, turning back towards the island, towards the airport. Then shortly after, I would say 10 to 15 minutes after landing before we arrived, he made an announcement that we were going to have an emergency water landing. That’s when everyone panicked. It was just chaotic. Everyone started grabbing their emergency vests from under their seats. We saw the flight attendants walking back and forth on the plane. Some said to put on our vests, others said not to wear our vests. I then reached under my seat to try to get my water vest and the case the vest was in wouldn’t open.

Despite the chaotic flight, the plane landed safely and guests were able to disembark. No injuries were reported.

“Safety is our top priority and the aircraft will be carefully evaluated by our maintenance team,” Spirit said in a statement to WTVJ. “We apologize to our guests for any inconvenience and have rebooked a new aircraft to operate the flight to Fort Lauderdale.”