Additional Coverage:
- This couple’s flight was rerouted midair after the SpaceX Starship exploded. They saw flaming debris out their window. (businessinsider.com)
SpaceX Starship Explosion Creates Mid-Air Spectacle for Vacationing Couple
A Wisconsin couple returning from a Punta Cana vacation got a front-row seat to the SpaceX Starship explosion Thursday night, capturing viral footage of the dramatic event. Mariah Davenport and Dane Siler, both college students, were mid-flight when their pilot announced a slight detour due to the Starship launch. Little did they know they were about to witness history.
“He said, ‘If you look to your right, one of the rockets just blew up,'” Siler recounted. He quickly grabbed his phone and recorded the flaming debris, a video Davenport later posted to TikTok, where it quickly amassed over 12 million views.
While initially awestruck, the couple’s fascination turned to apprehension when their pilot announced a return to Punta Cana for refueling. Davenport overheard a flight attendant express concern, saying the incident was “too close for comfort,” adding to their unease.
The explosion, which occurred shortly after liftoff, prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to close airspace over parts of Florida and issue temporary ground stops at several airports. This incident follows a similar Starship explosion in January that scattered debris over the Caribbean.
The couple eventually arrived home, albeit several hours behind schedule. The FAA is currently investigating the explosion.