NEWARK– Operations at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) faced a temporary disruption on Wednesday evening (February 18, 2026) after a JetBlue Airways (B6) Airbus A320 aborted its climb and returned shortly after departure. The flight, bound for West Palm Beach (PBI), declared an emergency following reports of an engine issue and smoke inside the cabin.
The aircraft landed safely back at Newark, but the crew initiated an emergency evacuation on the taxiway. The incident prompted a short ground stop, affecting arrivals and departures at one of the busiest airports in the New York metropolitan area.
JetBlue A320 Emergency Landing at Newark
According to flight tracking data, the Airbus A320-200 departed Newark at approximately 5:34 PM local time.
The aircraft remained airborne for just over 15 minutes before the crew decided to discontinue the flight and return to the departure airport.
Pilots reported a problem with the number one engine and informed air traffic control about smoke detected in the rear section of the cabin. After landing safely around 5:50 PM, the crew ordered an evacuation as a precautionary measure.
All 122 passengers and crew exited the aircraft using emergency slides. Airport emergency responders surrounded the aircraft immediately after it stopped on the taxiway to assist with the evacuation.
One passenger was transported to a local hospital after reporting chest pains. Authorities confirmed that no other injuries were reported among passengers or crew members.
JetBlue stated that safety remains its highest priority and confirmed it is cooperating with federal authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
Newark Ground Stop
The evacuation led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to temporarily pause some arriving flights into Newark. Airport officials implemented a ground stop to ensure the safety of passengers and first responders operating near the aircraft.
Normal operations resumed at approximately 7:00 PM local time. However, the disruption created a ripple effect across the airport’s tightly scheduled evening operations.
Data from flight monitoring platforms showed Newark recorded nearly 400 delays throughout the day, making it one of the most delayed airports in the United States on Wednesday.
Travelers experienced both inbound and outbound delays as aircraft sequencing and gate assignments adjusted to the temporary halt.
Newark operates with three runways, including two parallel primary runways and one intersecting runway.
Because the airport layout is compact, any emergency involving slide deployment on a taxiway or runway can significantly impact overall traffic flow.
Details of JetBlue’s A320
According to Simple Flying, the aircraft involved in the incident is a 20-year-old Airbus A320-200 registered as N640JB. The jet entered service with JetBlue in July 2006 and carries the name “Blue Better Believe It.”
The aircraft is powered by two IAE V2500 engines and has accumulated more than 73,000 flight hours and approximately 26,000 flight cycles. It features JetBlue’s Restyled cabin configuration with seating for up to 162 passengers, including both standard economy and Even More Space seats.
JetBlue operates a fleet of 289 aircraft, with the A320-200 forming a significant portion of its narrowbody operations. The airline continues to expand its Airbus fleet, including newer-generation A321neo aircraft.
Federal authorities are investigating the incident. Additional details are expected once technical inspections and official reviews are completed.
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