Spirit Airlines aircraft hit by gunfire while landing in Haiti: video

A Spirit Airlines aircraft attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was hit by gunfire forcing it to change course and land in the Dominican Republic, according to the Haitian National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC). 

A spokesperson from Spirit Airlines confirmed the shooting to the Miami Herald on the night of November 11, 2024. Earlier that day, Spirit Airlines Flight 951 departed from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) at 14:01 local time and was headed to Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) in Haiti.  

The aircraft involved in the incident was an Airbus A320-271N, registered as N966NK, according to Flightradar24 data.  

A gang-related shooting occurred as the aircraft was nearing PAP Airport, according to a source from the National Airport Authority of Haiti who spoke to the Miami Herald. The A320 was struck by gunfire multiple times while trying to land in Port-au-Prince. The aircraft was approximately one mile from the airport, flying over Clercine, an area affected by Haiti’s ongoing gang conflict, when the shooting occurred, the source added.  

Video footage posted on X shows four bullet holes inside the aircraft. One gunshot hole is near a cabin rear exit, and three others are seen in the overhead compartment above the seats.  

Sanble avyon Spirit resevwa 3 katouch. pic.twitter.com/T29ih4VNBa— Guezz (@EliezerGuerisme) November 11, 2024

There were no injuries among passengers, the airline spokesperson said. However, a flight attendant suffered minor injuries.  

The aircraft was redirected and landed safely at Cibao International Airport (STI) in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic around 11:30 local time.  

Spirit Airlines flight NK951 attempting to land in Haitian capital Port-au-Prince has been struck by gunfire, forcing it to be diverted to the Dominican Republic.At least one person, a flight attendant, was grazed by a bullet, a source said.All flights in and out of the… pic.twitter.com/NBBOzvRRmI— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) November 11, 2024

After the aircraft landed in the Dominican Republic, Spirit Airlines released a statement saying that an inspection had “revealed evidence of damage to the aircraft consistent with gunfire.”  

The Airbus A320 was taken out of service, and another aircraft was scheduled to return passengers to Fort Lauderdale later the same day. 

In a statement, issued on November 11, 2024, the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince said the security situation in Haiti “is unpredictable and dangerous” due to increasing gang violence following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in March 2024. 

“The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports,” officials at the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince added. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that after the shooting, “two other flights bound for PAP Airport were diverted as a precaution”. Additionally, US-based carriers JetBlue and American Airlines temporarily canceled flights to and from Haiti. 

As of November 12, 2024, PAP Airport is temporarily closed due to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) from civil aviation authorities. The NOTAM is expected to remain in effect until November 18, 2024. The post Spirit Airlines aircraft hit by gunfire while landing in Haiti: video appeared first on AeroTime.

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