Passengers aboard a Spirit Airlines flight were alarmed to see smoke billowing from the belly of the plane after it touched down in Atlanta on Sunday morning.
First responders extinguished the flames that broke out after the plane's brakes overheated and caught fire at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the Atlanta airport announced over Twitter. Nobody was injured as a result of the fire, but many passengers onboard were alarmed by the situation outside.
Spirit Airlines plane.. on fire at ATL? pic.twitter.com/NZV9PAwapJ
— Alaina Hardie (@trianglegrrl) July 10, 2022
Videos on Twitter showed black smoke billowing from the underside of the aircraft as a small fire consumed one of the tires. Another video from inside the plane showed passengers rising from their seats to peek out the windows as the crew urged them to remain seated.
"If the pilot gives us the command to evacuate we will evacuate, but please remain seated right now and keep the aisle ways clear," the crew announced over the intercom. "If we do have to evacuate, please just leave your bags. We will let you know, please remain seated."
Why is the plane on fire @SpiritAirlines? Help!😐 pic.twitter.com/5vQFn178Ir
— . (@imgoinscottie) July 10, 2022
Once the fire was hosed off, the plane was towed to a gate where passengers safely disembarked and went on their way, according to the Atlanta Airport. The incident didn't impact any other flights or airport operations.
