JetBlue Evacuation After Engine Failure Shuts Newark
Engine failure and smoke forced evacuation of JetBlue Flight 543 via slides, briefly halting operations at Newark Liberty as the FAA investigates.
Overview
JetBlue Flight 543 returned to Newark Liberty after an engine failure and passengers evacuated onto the taxiway via emergency slides, the Port Authority and the FAA said.
The Airbus A320 departed Newark at 5:43 p.m. en route to West Palm Beach before crew reported smoke and the FAA issued a temporary ground stop, authorities said.
JetBlue said safety is its top priority and the airline will support customers and crewmembers while the FAA investigates, and Port Authority crews removed the aircraft from the taxiway.
Sources said roughly 122 passengers were aboard, one person was taken to a local hospital after reporting chest pains, and the airport was closed to arrivals until operations resumed around 7 p.m.
The FAA said it will investigate the incident and travelers were advised to check with their airlines for updated flight information.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this as straightforward reportage without editorial framing: they report the timeline, cite Port Authority, FAA and JetBlue statements, and avoid loaded language. Coverage emphasizes facts (engine failure, smoke, evacuation, no injuries) and includes official responses, making omission of significant viewpoints unlikely in this brief breaking report.
Sources (5)
FAQ
The specific cause of the engine failure has not yet been determined. The FAA stated it will investigate the incident that occurred around 5:55 p.m. local time, but no preliminary findings or technical details about what caused the mechanical issue have been released.
All passengers were safely evacuated via emergency slides after the plane landed and exited the runway. While the Port Authority initially reported no injuries, one passenger was taken to a local hospital after reporting chest pains, making this the only reported medical incident among the approximately 122 passengers aboard.
Newark Liberty International Airport was temporarily closed following the emergency evacuation. The FAA issued a temporary ground stop and suspended flight operations while the aircraft was removed from the taxiway. The airport reopened and resumed normal flight operations at approximately 7 p.m., roughly one hour and 15 minutes after the incident occurred around 5:55 p.m.
The aircraft involved was an **Airbus A320**, a narrow-body commercial jet commonly used for short to medium-distance flights. This is one of the most widely used passenger aircraft in the aviation industry.
The search results indicate that Newark Airport advised travelers to check with their airline for up-to-date information regarding rebooking and rescheduling. JetBlue stated that safety is its top priority and the airline will support customers and crewmembers during the investigation, though specific details about passenger accommodations were not provided in the available reports.
History
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