A commercial flight operated by JetBlue Airways that departed from Cancún International Airport in Mexico and was bound for Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Thursday was unexpectedly diverted to Florida after the aircraft underwent a startling and rapid loss of altitude. According to a statement provided by the airline to Fox News Digital, the flight—identified as JetBlue Flight 1230—encountered what was described as a “flight control issue,” prompting the sudden change of course.
Data collected by FlightRadar24, a widely used online flight-tracking platform, revealed that the Airbus A320 experienced a dramatic descent of approximately 14,500 feet within a brief five-minute window, occurring roughly one hour after takeoff. Following that initial drop, the aircraft continued to lose altitude, descending an additional 12,200 feet during the subsequent five minutes. Responding to the situation and prioritizing passenger safety, air traffic controllers and the flight crew decided to divert the aircraft to Tampa International Airport, where it arrived less than an hour and a half after its initial departure from Cancún.
Upon landing in Tampa at approximately 2:20 p.m., the plane was immediately met by medical response teams and paramedics already stationed at the airport. A spokesperson for Tampa International Airport confirmed to Business Insider that emergency personnel were present as a precautionary measure, ready to provide prompt assistance to anyone in need. Tampa Bay Fire Rescue spokesperson Vivian Shedd reported to CNN that approximately 15 to 20 passengers were transported to a local hospital. Fortunately, all injuries sustained were classified as non-life-threatening, and most individuals were treated for issues related to turbulence or the effects of the altitude drop.
Requests for additional comments were made to JetBlue, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Tampa Bay Fire Rescue, but representatives from these organizations did not immediately provide further details outside regular business hours. In joint communications sent to the Associated Press, CNN, and Fox News Digital, both JetBlue and the FAA confirmed that a formal investigation had been initiated to determine the cause of the incident and to evaluate the aircraft’s systems, flight data, and crew responses.
This event is the latest in a concerning pattern of mid-air altitude incidents that have occurred in recent years across various airlines worldwide. For example, in May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight underwent a sudden vertical drop of about 178 feet in the span of merely four seconds. The abrupt movement caused unsecured passengers to be thrown from their seats, tragically resulting in one fatality and sending dozens more to hospitals. Only a month later, in June 2024, a Korean Air flight encountered a similarly alarming emergency when it plunged approximately 25,000 feet within five minutes shortly after takeoff. That aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing as well, and seventeen passengers subsequently required medical attention.
Although commercial aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation, incidents such as these serve as stark reminders of the immense complexity involved in operating modern aircraft and the vital importance of stringent maintenance, continuous pilot training, and adherence to regulatory safety standards. The current JetBlue investigation aims to identify the precise cause of the altitude loss and ensure that any potential systemic or mechanical issues are quickly addressed to prevent their recurrence in future flights.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/jetblue-cancun-diverted-tampa-sudden-drop-altitude-2025-10
