Video: Spirit Airlines plane 'violently shakes' after engine explodes mid-air
CBS Atlanta News
A passenger has recorded video footage of the terrifying moment an engine exploded mid-air on a Spirit Airlines plane on Tuesday.
One of the Atlanta-bound plane's two engines exploded shortly after take-off from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
There was panic and praying as passengers on Flight 165 saw flames outside the plane as smoke filled the cabin.
One passenger, Randy Bryan, managed to capture footage from inside the plane, and told CBS Atlanta that the Airbus A319 was in the air for about 20 minutes after the engine exploded.
He said: "All of a sudden, there was a bang, and thud, thud, thud, and a boom and flames.
"The metal flapping outside, and the vibrations were scary, that was the scary part. Because at any time, something could fly off and hit the tail and we could lose control."
Bryan recorded nearly nine minutes of video as the plane made its way back to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
The video shows some passengers praying and others in a brace position. During the recording, the airplane shakes violently, making noises that any passenger would be terrified to hear.
Bryan even texted his wife: "The plane is crashing, I love you."
Another passenger, Casey Rogers, described her experience to CBS News, saying shaw thought her time was up: "I saw the engine blow up on the outside of the plane, fire and all that. I'm thinking to myself, I see this on the movies. I'm usually on my couch eating popcorn. This never happened to me. And here I am 25,000 feet above the ground and this is happening to me."
Spirit spokeswoman Misty Pinson told CBS Atlanta: "The captain received an inidicatio of a possible mechanical issue. Following procedure and as a safety precaution, the plane returned to DFW."
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
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