MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA – Passengers on a Spirit Airlines flight from Jamaica to Florida faced a tense situation Saturday when they were instructed to brace for a potential water landing due to a suspected mechanical issue.
Flight NK270 departed from Montego Bay en route to Fort Lauderdale but was forced to return shortly after takeoff. The airline cited a possible mechanical problem as the reason for the abrupt turnaround. In a precautionary measure, passengers were directed to don life vests and prepare for an emergency water landing.
Despite the alarming instructions, the Airbus A321 safely touched down back at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ). The airline confirmed that all passengers disembarked normally and that the mechanical issue did not compromise flight safety. Subsequent to the incident, passengers were rebooked on a new flight to Fort Lauderdale, arriving just under 45 minutes behind schedule according to FlightAware.
One passenger recounted the unsettling experience, noting that the pilot had informed them of the need to prepare for a water landing, and that the highest level of emergency was activated at MBJ. The passenger also mentioned that the aircraft reportedly lost pressure, adding to the anxiety of the situation.
Spirit Airlines assured that the aircraft would undergo a thorough evaluation by their maintenance team to identify and resolve the issue. The airline expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to their passengers.