JetBlue Flight 543 returned to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on February 18, 2026, after the crew reported an engine failure on takeoff and smoke in the cockpit and cabin, prompting an emergency landing that briefly disrupted operations at the busy New York City-area airport.
The Airbus A320 had departed Newark bound for West Palm Beach, Florida, when the problem developed shortly after takeoff. The crew turned back and landed safely at EWR, where passengers and crew exited the aircraft using emergency slides on a taxiway at about 17:55 local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. No injuries were reported.
The incident triggered a significant, if temporary, slowdown at Newark as emergency crews responded and the aircraft was cleared of passengers and crew. Reuters reported that flights were nearly completely suspended for about an hour, with operations resuming around 19:00 local time.
JetBlue said safety remains its top priority and that it would cooperate with federal authorities as the investigation moves forward. The FAA said it will investigate.
For travelers, the impact caused a ripple effect. Reuters cited FlightAware data showing about 31% of inbound flights and 30% of outbound flights at Newark delayed as airport operations recovered. Even after flights resumed, Newark’s tightly packed schedule meant delays lingered into the evening rush.
Passenger videos posted online showed emergency vehicles surrounding the aircraft and travelers moving away from the jet after the slide evacuation.
The FAA has not released details on what caused the engine issue or the smoke report, and JetBlue has not identified a specific mechanical fault. The agency’s investigation will focus on what occurred during the takeoff, the return, and the evacuation after landing.
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