A JetBlue flight was forced to make a rapid emergency landing in Kansas — leaving some passengers in tears — Saturday evening after pilots were alerted to possible smoke in the cargo hold, officials said.
The cross-country flight took off from New York City’s JFK Airport and was destined for San Diego but was diverted to Salina, Kansas around 6:30 p.m. over what ultimately was a false alarm, JetBlue said in a statement Sunday.
“JetBlue flight 1189 diverted to Salina, Kansas, when the pilots received an alert that there might be smoke in the cargo hold, descending safely and landing without incident,” a JetBlue spokesperson said in an email.
“Upon inspection, we determined the smoke indication presented to our pilots was a false indication.”
The plane dropped down more than 30,000 feet in less than 10 minutes as it landed at the airport.
But as the Airbus A320 was still in the air, the tension — and fear — was palpable among the roughly 130 passengers.
A JetBlue flight made an emergency landing in Kansas Saturday evening after “a fire-like smoke” was detected in the cockpit, according to the Salina Airport Authority. https://t.co/8uXt76DR9f
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 23, 2024
Passenger Seth Odell said the pilot announced over the intercom that he saw an alert for smoke in the cargo bay.
“Some passengers did report hearing a loud bang, too, and so we descended incredibly rapidly and landed in the extremely small airport in Salina,” he recalled, noting there was only 10 minutes between the pilot’s report and landing.
“So obviously everybody was starting to freak out,” Odell reportedly said.
“Some people were crying. It was a little bit intense for a few minutes. Crew did a great job getting everybody organised extremely quickly, and obviously once we were on the ground, everyone was just elated.”
Salina fire Battalion Chief Derrick Herzog said there were no major problems with the plane, but the issue might have been electrical, according to the outlet.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Economic Times reported passengers faced sheer panic as JetBlue’s emergency landing unfolded. The rapid descent from 36,000 feet due to smoke alarms left travelers emotionally shaken and fearful for their safety. (Read more)
- NBC News reported on how the alarming smoke alert in the cargo hold triggered a swift response from JetBlue pilots. Passengers were understandably distressed, highlighting the critical importance of in-flight safety protocols. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did the JetBlue flight make an emergency landing in Kansas?
The flight was diverted due to an alert indicating possible smoke in the cargo hold. It was later confirmed to be a false alarm.
Where was the JetBlue flight originally heading?
The flight was travelling from New York City’s JFK Airport to San Diego when it was diverted to Salina, Kansas.
How did passengers react during the emergency landing?
Some passengers became emotional, with reports of crying and panic. The crew quickly organised everyone, and relief followed once the plane landed safely.
Was there any actual danger on the JetBlue flight?
No, after inspection, it was determined that the smoke alert was a false indication. There were no major issues with the plane.
How fast did the plane descend during the emergency?
The plane dropped over 30,000 feet in less than 10 minutes as part of its emergency landing in Kansas.
