On Feb 18th 2026, a JetBlue Airbus A320-200, registration N640JB, returned to Newark shortly after departure following an engine malfunction that led to an emergency evacuation on the runway.
Flight B6-543 had departed runway 04L at Newark bound for West Palm Beach with 128 people on board. During the initial climb, the crew declared an emergency and levelled off at 10,000 feet, reporting a problem with the left-hand International Aero Engines V2500 (V2527). The pilots later donned their oxygen masks while maintaining 10,000 feet, advising that smoke had been detected in the rear of the aircraft. They reported the engine had emitted a loud bang consistent with an engine stall but indicated the situation had stabilized.
The aircraft returned for a landing on runway 04R approximately 15 minutes after departure. After vacating the runway and stopping clear on a turnoff, the crew initiated an emergency evacuation using the slides. All passengers and crew exited the aircraft without injury.
The Federal Aviation Administration stated that after the aircraft safely returned and exited the runway, the crew reported smoke in the cockpit and evacuated passengers via slides. The agency temporarily paused some arrivals into Newark and confirmed it would investigate the incident, which occurred around 5:55 p.m. local time. The flight to Palm Beach was cancelled.
As of about 20 hours after landing, the aircraft remained on the ground in Newark for inspection and maintenance.
Engine stalls can produce loud bangs and momentary surges, and when accompanied by smoke indications, they require immediate attention. The crew’s decision to return promptly and evacuate as a precaution reflects the layered safety philosophy that governs commercial aviation operations.
