NEW YORK— A JetBlue Airways (B6) flight from Vieux Fort Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) narrowly avoided a serious incident when a firework passed just 100 feet below its left wing during final approach.
The Airbus A320 (registered as N588JB) was descending to land on runway 13L when the crew reported the close encounter to air traffic control (ATC). The aircraft continued its approach and landed safely without further incident.
Firework Nearly Strikes JetBlue A320
JetBlue flight B61682 was at approximately 500 feet above the ground on its final approach into JFK when the pilots observed a firework shooting upward, crossing below the aircraft’s left wing.
The captain immediately reported the sighting to Kennedy Tower, noting that the firework “missed by about 100 feet.”
ATC confirmed the report and promptly issued a warning to other inbound flights to exercise caution due to possible fireworks in the vicinity.
The flight, which had originated in Saint Lucia, was about two and a half miles from the runway threshold at the time of the incident. Despite the scare, the crew maintained full control and completed a normal landing rollout before taxiing to the gate.
Air Traffic Control Response
Following JetBlue 1682’s report, the tower controller acknowledged the communication and relayed a cautionary advisory to another approaching aircraft, Delta Air 321, and others in sequence.
ATC communications indicate that controllers treated the report seriously, marking the event as a potential airspace hazard.
The FAA and local law enforcement were notified of the occurrence. While fireworks are common in nearby communities, launching them near approach paths constitutes a safety violation and can pose significant risks to aircraft.
ATC and Pilot Comms
Here’s a detailed transcription between New York JFK ATC and JetBlue pilots as recorded by LiveATC.net and flagged by You Can See ATC:
{ts:20}
Pilot: Kennedy Tower, good evening. JetBlue 1682, 3,000, 180 on the nose, outside of ASALT for the RNAV 13 left.
ATC: Was that JetBlue?
Pilot: Yep. JetBlue 1682, 3,000, outside of ASALT for 13 left.
ATC: Sorry about that. JetBlue 1682, Kennedy, you’re following Delta Air 321. The wind is 200 at 16, runway 13 left, cleared to land.
Pilot: Copy the wind, JetBlue 1682. Just so you know, we’re 180 on the nose.
{ts:56}
Unknown: 162 Approach, we’re back now.
{ts:78}
Pilot: And, uh, tower, just in case anybody’s asking: that firework was at 500 feet for us, and it maybe missed us by about 100 feet under the left wing.
ATC: And who is that?
Pilot: 1682.
{ts:84}
ATC: 1682, were you at around 500 feet? You had a firework go under your wing?
Pilot: Yep.
{ts:92}
ATC: 5081, I don’t know if you picked up on that, but use caution, fireworks reported about 400 feet on the final. 1682, right turn on Delta Bravo, right Bravo.
Pilot: Delta Bravo, right Bravo, 1682.
{ts:115}
ATC: 1682, and uh, do you know how many miles out you were on the final?
Pilot: About two and a half.
ATC: Roger, thank you. You can monitor the ground. Have a good day.
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