JCAA launches probe after flight makes emergency landing at Sangster Airport

By Clinton McGregor 

 

The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) has launched investigation into an incident on Sunday, in which a US bound flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Sangster International Airport shortly after take-off.

 

More than 200 passengers aboard the Spirit Airlines Flight, which was destined for Fort Lauderdale, suffered a major scare when the pilot reportedly informed them to brace for an emergency landing after the plane developed mechanical problems.

 

One passenger told The Gleaner that the pilot told them to prepare for a water landing.

 

An emergency alert was activated by the MBJ, the operators of the Sangster International Airport.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Derby, Chairman of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, told Radio Jamaica News that he has received a report on the incident.

 

"What happened is that after taking off from Montego Bay, the pilot experienced pressurization problem.... He opted to declare an emergency and to return to Montego Bay airport, which he did. Upon approaching the airport, he would have had the passengers prepare for the emergency landing. He landed safely, and the airplane, upon till late yesterday, was still at the airport. Passengers were picked up by separate aircrafts of the airline," he reported. 

 

He said the JCAA will release the aircraft when it determines that "all is safe for it to go".