Multiple Passengers Hospitalized After JetBlue Plane Experiences 'Flight Control Issue'

Image: JetBlue aircraft taking off. (Photo Credit: JetBlue)
Image: JetBlue aircraft taking off. (Photo Credit: JetBlue)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Fri October 31, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after a JetBlue plane experienced a sudden drop in altitude that left more than a dozen passengers injured, according to CNN.

The incident occurred aboard the Airbus A320 as it was traveling from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday afternoon. The aircraft dropped approximately 100 feet in as little as seven seconds, with pilots reporting a "flight control issue."

The scary situation prompted an emergency landing at Tampa International Airport around 2 p.m. ET Thursday.

Medical personnel met the plane on the ground, evaluating injured passengers and transporting at least 15 of them to local hospitals for further evaluation.

"Our team has taken the aircraft out of service for inspection, and we will conduct a full investigation to determine the cause," JetBlue said in a statement. "The safety of our customers and crewmembers is always our first priority, and we will work to support those involved."


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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