Passengers: Explosion, Flames Seen On Spirit Jet

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Passengers aboard a Spirit Airlines jet en route to Atlanta say they heard an explosion and saw flames before the plane safely returned to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Passenger Fred Edwards told WGCL-TV (http://bit.ly/19Qumfi ) in Atlanta that following the explosion flames came up the side of the plane, lighting up the interior of the Airbus A319.

Spirit spokeswoman Misty Pinson says the captain received an indication of a "possible mechanical issue" shortly after takeoff from DFW airport Tuesday. Pinson says there was smoke in the cabin and one engine shut down. She said by email Wednesday that there was no fire.

She says no one on Flight 165 was injured.

The 145 passengers were placed on another Spirit jet for Atlanta later Tuesday.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.