Passengers aboard a Frontier Airlines flight from Orlando, Florida, experienced a tense situation on Tuesday night as the aircraft approached its landing at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The aviation news site FL360aero reported that an Airbus A320-251NP, operating the flight to San Juan (SJU) from Orlando (MCO), encountered an engine failure in its left engine (Number 1/Port), leading to panic as flames were seen spewing from the exhaust.
The same source noted that the aircraft, equipped with CFMI LEAP-1A engines, successfully landed at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) without further issues. Airport officials later clarified that no fire occurred and that the incident is under investigation.
According to Puerto Rican media outlet Primera Hora, the mishap occurred during the "initial landing on runway ten," forcing the pilot to "ascend again and perform a second descent on runway 8-26." This maneuver, unfamiliar to many passengers, caused moments of anxiety onboard.
A passenger described the experience to the media as a landing that "hit really hard. Horrible."
Social Media Sparks and Eyewitness Accounts
The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with a brief video going viral showing what appeared to be flames coming from one of the plane's engines amid passengers' screams and excitement. Telemundo Puerto Rico initially reported the aircraft had burst into flames—a report that was later retracted—and claimed "the fire started in one of the engines shortly before the plane descended." However, airport authorities have categorically denied these claims.
On Facebook, user Víctor Martínez documented passengers disembarking from the plane. In official statements gathered by El Nuevo Día, Aerostar Airport Holdings, the airport's operating company, reiterated that "there was no fire and that the incident's details are under investigation and should be reported by the airline."
Nelman Nevarez Padilla, the airport's director of operations, emphasized to Primera Hora that "the incident did not result in a fire, contrary to reports on social media."
Emergency Protocols and Safe Evacuation
Following the incident, airport emergency protocols were immediately activated. Aerostar Puerto Rico initiated its emergency protocol to safely evacuate the 228 passengers via airport vehicles on the taxiway.
Nevarez Padilla also stated that "for safety reasons," the plane remained on the taxiway adjacent to the runway while emergency teams conducted inspections and "debris removal to ensure the safety and continuity of air operations on runway 10-28."
Impact on Airport Operations
The incident not only affected the passengers of the involved flight but also temporarily disrupted airport operations. As a result, takeoffs and landings experienced brief delays, with nearly a dozen flights waiting to land. Two flights were redirected back to Fort Lauderdale, and three were diverted to Aguadilla Airport.
No further details have been released as of the conclusion of this report. Frontier Airlines, a low-cost American airline established in 1994 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, operates both domestic and international flights within the Americas, known for its ultra-low-cost fares and focus on efficient and sustainable operations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Emergency Landing Procedures
What caused the engine trouble on the Frontier Airlines flight?
The Frontier Airlines flight experienced an engine failure in its left engine, leading to flames being seen from the exhaust. The exact cause is still under investigation.
Was there an actual fire on the plane?
Airport authorities have confirmed that no fire actually occurred, despite initial reports and social media claims.
How were passengers evacuated after the incident?
Passengers were safely evacuated via airport vehicles on the taxiway after emergency protocols were activated.