Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A Spirit Airlines from Florida to Haiti was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic after it came under fire while trying to land. Spirit Airlines Flight 951 departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday (November 11) and was preparing to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when it was struck by gunfire.
According to data reviewed by CNN from FlightRadar24, the plane was about 550 feet off the ground over the Tabarre neighborhood when it suddenly pulled up and aborted the landing.
The plane was then diverted to Santiago in the Dominican Republic, where it landed safely. An inspection revealed bullet holes in the plane's fuselage.
None of the passengers were injured, though a crew member suffered a minor, undisclosed injury in the incident.
The plane was taken out of service, and another aircraft was being prepared to return the passengers and crew to Florida.
Spirit Airlines said it was suspending service in Haiti. Several other airlines, including JetBlue, American Airlines, and Haitian-based commercial airline Sunrise Airways, have also suspended their service in the country.
The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has warned people against traveling to Haiti, citing the rampant gang violence that has plagued the country.
"The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous," the U.S. Embassy said. "Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk."