Smoke Forces JetBlue Passengers to Evacuate at Newark Airport

The incident temporarily shut down the airport as the FAA investigates the engine issue.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Smoke in the passenger cabin of a JetBlue plane that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday evening led to passengers evacuating onto the tarmac and temporarily shut down the airport. The FAA issued a ground stop, halting flights headed to the airport, as the agency investigates the incident.

Why it matters

Incidents like this can disrupt air travel and raise concerns about aircraft safety, leading to increased scrutiny of airlines and the FAA's oversight. Newark Airport is a major transportation hub, so shutdowns there can have ripple effects across the region.

The details

JetBlue flight 543 took off from Newark heading to West Palm Beach, Florida, but had to make an emergency landing back at the airport after 17 minutes in the air due to an 'engine issue' that caused smoke in the cabin. After landing, the pilot called for an evacuation, and the emergency slides were deployed. No injuries were reported, but the incident prompted the FAA to issue a ground stop, temporarily halting flights to Newark until around 7 p.m. ET.

  • JetBlue flight 543 took off shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
  • The plane made an emergency landing back at Newark 17 minutes after takeoff.
  • The evacuation was called for just a few minutes after landing, around 5:50 p.m.
  • The FAA issued a ground stop that lasted until around 7 p.m. ET.

The players

JetBlue

A major U.S. airline that operates flights to destinations across the country, including West Palm Beach, Florida, the intended destination of the flight involved in this incident.

Newark Liberty International Airport

A major airport serving the New York metropolitan area, located in Newark, New Jersey. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation, including investigating incidents like the one that occurred on the JetBlue flight.

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What they’re saying

“We're just going to exit the runway and have fire / rescue make sure the engine, number one engine, is OK.”

— Pilot (LiveATC.net)

“We got smoke in the back. We are going to have to be evacuating here in a second.”

— Pilot (LiveATC.net)

“He's going to pull the chutes.”

— Emergency responder (LiveATC.net)

“Attention all aircraft, Newark Airport is closed.”

— Air traffic controller (LiveATC.net)

“Safety is JetBlue's top priority. We are focused on supporting our customers and crewmembers and will work closely with the appropriate federal authorities to investigate what occurred.”

— JetBlue (JetBlue statement)

What’s next

The FAA is investigating the incident to determine the cause of the engine issue and smoke in the cabin.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of aircraft safety and the ability of airlines and airports to respond quickly to emergencies in order to protect passengers. It also underscores the critical role of the FAA in overseeing air travel and investigating potential safety concerns.