US Plane’s Engine Catches Fire, Front Wheel Breaks as it Tries Landing Twice in Puerto Rico
A harrowing incident occurred recently at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when a US-based Frontier Airlines plane carrying 228 passengers and crew members caught fire and suffered a broken front wheel during a botched landing attempt. The dramatic scene was captured on video, showing children crying and passengers panicking as orange flames erupted from the plane’s engine.
According to reports, Flight 180, an Airbus A321, was arriving from Orlando, Florida, when it attempted to land at the airport. However, the pilot made two unsuccessful attempts to touch down, with the plane flying by the runway and circling around the area before finally landing safely.
The video footage, which has gone viral, shows the plane’s engine engulfed in flames, with passengers screaming and crying in fear. The clip also captures the impact of the plane’s front wheel breaking off, sending debris flying everywhere.
“It was the end,” a passenger is heard saying in the video, as others can be seen trying to calm each other down.
The incident occurred around 12:30 pm local time on Tuesday, with the plane eventually landing safely at the airport. However, the ordeal did not end there, as the passengers and crew were forced to wait on the plane for over an hour before being evacuated.
“It was a very stressful situation,” said passenger Emily Rodriguez, who was on the flight. “We were all very scared, but we are grateful that everyone is safe.”
An investigation into the incident is currently underway, with officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) working to determine the cause of the engine fire and wheel failure.
Frontier Airlines has also launched an investigation into the incident, releasing a statement apologizing for the distress caused to its passengers.
“We are deeply sorry for the distress and inconvenience caused by this incident,” the airline said. “The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority, and we are working closely with the authorities to determine the cause of the engine fire and wheel failure.”
The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport has also issued a statement, assuring passengers that the airport’s safety protocols were followed and that the plane was able to land safely.
“The airport’s emergency response plan was activated, and the plane was able to land safely,” the airport said. “The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority, and we are working closely with the authorities to determine the cause of the incident.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in aviation, and the need for airlines and airports to prioritize the well-being of their passengers and crew.
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