A big jolt, a loud bang and a sudden emergency stop startled 130 Seattle-bound jet passengers during takeoff in Sacramento Tuesday night.

The passengers were aboard a Southwest airlines flight to SeaTac, when the Boeing 737’s  left main tires blew at about 6:15 p.m.

Ryan Lewis of Bellevue said the plane was just about to takeoff--when he heard and felt a big bang and shaking.

The takeoff was aborted and firefighters doused the plane in flame retardant.

“What I heard was just a big bang, a big pop, and the cabin just proceeded to shake, so everything was kind of loud and rumbling, and we all just kind of held on tight,” said Lewis.

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Lewis said his girlfriend, and the rest of the people on the packed plane, were dead silent while the pilots suddenly shut down the engines.

“I grabbed her hand and squeezed much harder than she did (laughs). She seemed to be just fine,” said Lewis.

No one was hurt, and Lewis said the pilot explained how the landing gear blew, and because they acted quickly, it was just a close  call everyone can talk about.

“People were just kind of looking at each other and just and expression of relief I think would be the best way to put it.  Kind of smile and go, ‘Wow, did that just happen?’” said Lewis.

Officials have not determined what caused the blowout and the incident is being investigated.