Passengers have been evacuated by way of slides in an incident that briefly suspended flights at Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport in New Jersey, officers stated Wednesday.
JetBlue Flight 543 took off from the airport Wednesday night however “instantly returned to the airport as a consequence of engine failure,” the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stated in an announcement.
A JetBlue flight that needed to evacuate passengers by way of slides is seen at Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport in New Jersey, Feb. 18, 2026.
Alexandra Svokos
After the aircraft landed and exited the runway, the crew reported smoke within the cockpit and evacuated the passengers by way of slides, in line with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flight operations have been briefly suspended whereas the plane was faraway from the taxiway, the Port Authority and airport stated.
The FAA issued a floor cease on the airport as a consequence of “plane emergency” that has since been lifted. Flight operations resumed at roughly 7 p.m. ET, in line with the FAA and the Port Authority.
Newark Airport suggested vacationers to examine with their airline for up-to-date info.
An airport management tower is seen at Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport, Might 6, 2025, in Newark, N.J.
Andres Kudacki/Getty Pictures
The JetBlue flight took off at 5:43 p.m. ET for West Palm Seashore earlier than returning and touchdown safely at Newark, the Port Authority stated. No accidents have been reported presently, it stated.
“Security is JetBlue’s prime precedence,” the airline stated in an announcement. “We’re centered on supporting our clients and crewmembers and can work carefully with the suitable federal authorities to research what occurred.”
This can be a growing story. Please examine again for updates.
