JetBlue
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- B6/JBA
- Hub(s):
- Boston Logan International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, New York JFK Airport, Orlando International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 2000
- CEO:
- Robin Hayes
- Country:
- United States
On September 21, 2005, JetBlue Flight 292 took off from Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in California for a transcontinental flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. The aircraft, a three-year-old Airbus A320-232 with the registration N536JB, was carrying 140 passengers and six crew for the 2,465-mile flight to the East Coast.
The pilots could not retract the nose gear
Just after taking off from Burbank Airport at 15:17, the pilots realized they could not retract the nose wheel landing gear. They immediately decided to make a low pass over the JetBlue hub at Long Beach Municipal Airport (LGB) to allow officials in the tower to report what they could see. People looking at the plane from the ground could see that the nose gear wheel had rotated 90 degrees to the left.
LAX is only 18 miles from BUR. Image: GCmaps
Rather than attempting to land at Long Beach Airport, the captain decided to divert to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). As the primary international airport for Southern California, LAX had longer, more expansive runways and more modern safety equipment than other nearby airports.
The Airbus A320 can not dump fuel
Because the plane was loaded with fuel for the cross-country flight, the pilots flew in a figure-eight pattern between BUR and LAX to burn off fuel before attempting to land. By doing this, they lessened the load on the landing gear and reduced the risk of the aircraft catching on fire. They had to remain flying and burn off fuel because the Airbus A320 family can not dump fuel.
Because JetBlue equips its planes with satellite television, all the passengers onboard were witnessing live what was happening as the plane circled over the Pacific Ocean. As the plane prepared to make an emergency landing, emergency services and fire engines were on the ramp, ready to go.
As the plane touched down on LAX runway 25L, the nose gear generated sparks and flames. To help prevent it from collapsing, the pilots did not apply reverse thrust to slow the aircraft down. The result was that it took the plane much longer to come to a stop 1,000 feet before running out of runway. Because runway 25L is 11,096 feet long, the aircraft landed safely. If they had tried to land at Long Beach Airport (LGB), they would have run out of runway as the longest runway at LGB is 10,000 feet.
When speaking about the landing, Wikipedia sources archived from the Seattle Times quote Los Angeles Fire Dept. Battalion Chief Lou Roupoli as saying:
"The pilot did an outstanding job. He kept the plane on its rear tires as long as he could before he brought the nose gear down."
All the passengers were uninjured during the emergency landing. Photo: Getty Images
As the plane came to a stop with its landing gear still intact, it was decided not to evacuate the aircraft using slides but by an airport stairs vehicle. Because JetBlue did not operate out of LAX, the plane was towed to a Continental hangar for evaluation. Once the hysteria had died down, experts said there was never a real danger to the passengers as the plane was engineered to tolerate certain failures and could land without its nose gear.
The media later reported that there had been seven other incidents of the nose gear wheels being locked out of position. Airbus denied that it was a design flaw and put the problem down to poor maintenance practices. Airbus had previously issued maintenance advisories to A320 owners, which were later mandated by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the French Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC).
The NTSB said worn-out seals were to blame
In its report on the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said that worn-out seals were to blame and that the Brake System Control Unit (BSCU) system contributed to the problem. Following the NTSB report, Airbus upgraded the aircraft and resolved the issue.
The plane involved in the incident was repaired and returned to service. JetBlue did, however, change the flight number of the BUR to JFK flights from 292 to 358 and 359 in the opposite direction.
FAQs
Because JetBlue equips its planes with satellite television, all the passengers onboard were witnessing live what was happening as the plane circled over the Pacific Ocean. As the plane prepared to make an emergency landing, emergency services and fire engines were on the ramp, ready to go.
Do JetBlue flights have live TV? ›
Fly-Fi and live television are available on all JetBlue-operated flights. Availability and coverage area may vary by aircraft.
What happened on JetBlue flight 292? ›
Kennedy International Airport in New York City. On September 21, 2005, Captain Scott Burke executed an emergency landing in the Airbus A320-232 at Los Angeles International Airport after the nose gear jammed in an abnormal position. No one was injured. IATA flight No.
Did JetBlue passengers left stranded on plane after airport staff takes off for the night? ›
JetBlue passengers stranded on tarmac after airport crew leaves for the night. WORCESTER, Mass. - Dozens of JetBlue passengers were left sitting on an idle plane in Massachusetts after staff left for the night and no one was there to assist them off the plane.
What happened to the pilot of JetBlue 191? ›
Osbon was arrested and charged with "interference with a flight crew." The 49-year-old Osbon was suspended from work after being with JetBlue for 12 years. He had attended Carnegie Mellon University and graduated in 1987 from Nathaniel Hawthorne College, an aeronautics and aviation college located in New Hampshire.
Is it possible to watch live TV on a plane? ›
Several airlines offer live TV channels onboard. JetBlue is known for its partnership with DirecTV, and Southwest offers over a dozen channels of live TV on many flights. United, American and Delta have also offer the service on select planes. Can I stream music on a plane?
Do planes show live TV? ›
Many airplanes offer WiFi and live TV services. Passengers can access the internet and stream entertainment during flights.
Did JetBlue accidentally squawk 7500? ›
Three of the most important codes appear in succession — 7500, 7600, and 7700. If an aircraft transmits or "squawks" 7500, it is understood that the crew is letting everyone know they are being hijacked. The JetBlue pilots were trying to squawk 7600, which is the code for radio failure. They missed by one digit.
Why is Biden suing JetBlue? ›
The Biden administration's fight against consolidation in the airline industry is being tested Tuesday as lawyers for JetBlue Airways and the Justice Department squared off in court. The administration is suing to block JetBlue's proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines.
What went wrong with JetBlue? ›
JetBlue has struggled to regain a stable financial footing in the post-pandemic period. In its most recent quarter, it posted a decline in revenues and a net loss. It also said it expected to have 15 Airbus planes out of service because of maintenance issues.
3-1-1 for carry-on bags = 3.4 oz/100 ml bottle or less; one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; one bag per customer placed in screening bin. One quart-sized bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. The 3.4 oz/100 ml container size requirement is a security measure.
Where do crew sleep on long flights? ›
They're called Crew Rest Compartments and their location on the plane varies. On newer aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 or the Airbus A350, they are located above the main cabin, in the upper fuselage. But on older aircraft, they can also be in the cargo hold or simply in the main cabin.
Do flight attendants wake you up at the end of the flight? ›
And, many air hosts and hostesses answered his question. One noted: "Flight attendants aren't supposed to wake you up.” “Surveys have shown that over half of travellers just want rest,” added another. While a third explained that there is a way to both sleep and eat on your flight.
Who was the pilot restrained by passengers on JetBlue? ›
An unruly Osbon, with 131 passengers and six crew members aboard flight 191, was subdued by at least five passengers after his co-pilot reportedly locked him out of the co*ckpit when he displayed potentially dangerous behavior. The flight from Kennedy Airport in New York was diverted to Amarillo, Texas.
Did JetBlue passengers plead to get off plane? ›
JetBlue Passengers Beg To Exit Plane After Failed Landings: 'We Have to Get Off' A video trending online captured JetBlue passengers aboard a plane pleading to be let off the aircraft after multiple attempts to land at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York were not successful due to severe weather.
Why did JetBlue flight 292 crash? ›
On September 21, 2005, JetBlue Airways Flight 292 made a dramatic emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The incident, which involved a nose gear malfunction during takeoff, became a testament to the skill and composure of the flight crew and the resilience of the passengers.
How do I hear TV on JetBlue flight? ›
You don't have to miss out on your favorite shows when you fly! Just plug in your personal (wired) earphones and enjoy dozens of channels of free DIRECTV®.
Does Jet Airways have TV? ›
On 1 February 2016, Jet Airways announced the introduction of an in-flight entertainment service for streaming of entertainment content directly to Wi-Fi enabled personal devices of the passengers.
Do all JetBlue flights have WiFi? ›
All JetBlue planes are equipped with free, high-speed Wi-Fi. Some flights traveling outside of the continental United States - with the exception of Europe and the UK - may have unavailable service. Heads-up! Due to weather and other variables, this coverage area does not necessarily guarantee service availability.
Can I take a TV on a JetBlue flight? ›
Televisions will be accepted on domestic flights as a checked bag as long as they remain in their factory-sealed box and they are within the size and weight requirements. There is no additional bag fee, but a television will count as one checked bag. Oversize and overweight fees may apply.
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