( CNN ) -- Isabel Capuano was on a flight to Florida when she looked out the window and saw a piece of the aircraft fly off . At first , it appeared to be a piece of an engine cover lifting up . Then , `` the whole thing just tore off and flew into the air , '' she told CNN affiliate WLS in Chicago . The engine was exposed . `` I wanted to get off of it right away . '' The Spirit Airlines flight out of O'Hare airport , en route to Fort Lauderdale Saturday morning , made an emergency landing back at O'Hare . `` Shortly after takeoff , a passenger observed an engine cowling on the right side had left the aircraft , '' said Elizabeth Cory , spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration . `` We are actively investigating to confirm the specifics of what happened and the cause , '' Spirit Airlines spokeswoman Misty Pinson said . `` We are currently inspecting the aircraft and the right engine cowlings that were recovered on airport property . '' Passengers were booked on other flights or offered refunds .
An engine cover flew off after takeoff . The Spirit Airlines filght made an emergency landing . It took off from and landed at Chicago 's O'Hare airport . The flight was supposed to go to Fort Lauderdale .