Flames erupted from a plane engine after striking a bird on takeoff.
Frightened passengers held a prayer in the cabin as smoke billowed through the cabin.
They heard a loud noise that caused one passenger to believe they were being shot at.
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The pilot had to turn around and carry out an emergency landing at the departure airport.
There were 144 passengers on board at the time, as reported by Need To Know.
The scary scenes were filmed on Wingo flight P5 7206 from Barranquilla to San Andrés in Colombia yesterday morning (22 Mar).
The plane apparently struck a bird during takeoff from Ernesto Cortissoz Barranquilla International Airport.
Passenger Denis Molina Fontalvo, who conducted the prayer in the cabin, said: “We thought we were on the verge of death.
“When the plane landed, we all started clapping with joy.”
She explained: “The plane tried to take off, but it couldn’t reach the normal altitude.
“While it was trying to ascend, we heard a loud noise.
“I was terrified, I said ‘someone’s shooting at us’, that was my first impression.
“I said to myself, ‘dear God, receive me with love and forgive my mistakes and my failings’.
“Then I assumed the crash position and said ‘please let it land in the water and not on the ground, Lord’.”
The woman, who travels to Barranquilla every month for classes in social communication, said everyone on board “looked stressed”.
She added: “Everyone’s eyes were bulging.”
Denis said the emergency landing was carried out smoothly, “as if someone had placed the plane gently on the runway”.
“When the aircraft landed, we all started clapping with joy because we thought we were on the verge of death.
“In those moments, you think about your children, your grandchildren, your life partner, the people you love.”
However, she was critical of the service provided by Wingo after landing.
“They left us stranded at the airport, they didn’t give us food, they didn’t give us water, they didn’t send us to a hotel to rest, they didn’t ask us how we felt, absolutely nothing,” she said.
A Wingo spokesperson said: “The flight had to return to the airport of origin after the crew identified a possible bird strike during takeoff.
“The airline immediately activated its passenger assistance plan.
“A special flight has been arranged to operate tonight at 9pm to facilitate the continuation of the passengers’ journey to San Andrés.
“Thanks to the timely and professional action of the crew, both passengers and cabin crew are in perfect condition.
“Safety is our top priority and these types of decisions are in response to the strict application of operational protocols.”
An investigation into the cause of the engine failure is ongoing.
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