SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – Passengers aboard a Frontier Airlines flight experienced moments of sheer terror as their plane attempted to land at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan. The flight, originating from Orlando, Florida, faced a challenging landing that left many on board shaken.
As the aircraft descended towards the runway, passengers peered out of the windows, witnessing the plane making a hard contact with the tarmac. The impact was so severe that fragments of the landing gear were sent flying, prompting immediate concerns about debris on the runway.
Edwin Soto, a passenger on the flight, described the atmosphere inside the dimly lit cabin as tense and emotional. Many travelers were seen praying and making calls to their loved ones, fearing the worst as the plane approached the runway at an unusually high speed.
The pilot, realizing the gravity of the situation, attempted to regain control by circling the airport for another approach. This second attempt was critical, as the damaged aircraft had to safely land without further incident.
Upon finally touching down successfully on a different runway, the cabin erupted in a mix of gasps and applause, with relief washing over the 230 passengers and crew members. Flight attendants swiftly directed the passengers to exit the aircraft, guiding them down the stairs onto the runway.
Jeffrey Serda, who captured the aftermath on his phone, expressed his gratitude upon safely reaching the tarmac, exclaiming, “We made it, thank God.”
The incident led to the temporary closure of the San Juan airport while officials conducted thorough checks for any remaining debris that could pose risks to other flights. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all passengers and crew members were unharmed.
The aircraft remained grounded in San Juan for inspection and repairs. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to investigate the incident to determine the cause of the hard landing and ensure the safety of future flights.