PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A flight headed for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was diverted to Las Vegas after a powerful dust storm forced pilots to abandon their landing Monday night.
Passenger Mary Irigoyn said the plane was already in descent when the captain warned of severe turbulence. “You know, you think you’re going to get home safely and nothing’s going to happen,” she said.
“Everything was fine until we were told that it was going to be like a bumpy ride, but we didn’t know it was going to be how bumpy it was going to be,” she added.
So, Irigoyn pulled out her phone and began recording as the plane was tossed around. She said some passengers began crying, unsure of what to expect.
The pilot eventually announced the plane could not safely land in Phoenix, where a ground stop had been issued due to the storm. The flight was rerouted to Las Vegas, where it landed without issues.
Throughout the turbulence, Irigoyn said she clutched a necklace of the Virgin Mary, which she credits with giving her strength and comfort.
“I was holding on, so I always take my, you know, my necklace with me. And so I was holding on to it and praying that we were to get home safely there for all of us to just get home safely,” she said.
She also realized her family could be driving in the storm, as they were scheduled to pick her up from the airport.
“I was just thinking that I hoped my husband and kids were not driving through it because they were going to pick me up,” she said. “Please, please don’t let them be driving.”
But she says, they were driving and got stuck in the storm. They pulled over until it passed. Thankfully, everyone was safe
“When we got down, it’s like this is beyond professional,” she said. Despite commending the crew for remaining calm, Irigoyn said she is hesitant to fly in or out of Phoenix during the summer again.
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