JetBlue flight to San Diego makes emergency landing at Kansas airport – NBC 7 San Diego

A JetBlue flight carrying passengers to San Diego deviated from its scheduled route Saturday evening and made an emergency landing at a regional airport in central Kansas.

The Airbus aircraft, which was taking off from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, was forced to land due to smoke in the cockpit, a representative of the Salina Airport Authority told KSNW, the NBC affiliate station in Wichita, Kansas.

“The pilot came and told us he saw a smoke warning in the cargo hold,” said Seth Odell, a passenger on the flight. “Some passengers also reported a loud bang,” he added.

According to Salina Fire Department Battalion Chief Derrick Herzog, Salina Fire Department fire crews were dispatched to the airfield at 6:20 p.m. CT Saturday evening, approximately 10 minutes before the flight was due to land.

Odell reported that condensation came into the plane through the vents during the descent, causing other passengers to question whether or not it was smoke. When the plane landed, Odell was relieved, he told NBC 7.

All 130 passengers and crew on board the flight were able to exit the aircraft safely and without injury, Herzog added.

According to the Salina Airport Authority, the passengers were waiting for a connecting flight to fly to them before continuing on to San Diego.

NBC 7 contacted JetBlue on Saturday and issued the following statement on Sunday:

“On Saturday, September 21, JetBlue Flight 1189 diverted to Salina, Kansas, when the pilots received a warning that there might be smoke in the cargo hold. The descent was completed safely and the landing was without incident. Upon inspection, we determined that the smoke indicator presented to our pilots was a false indication.“

JetBlue also responded to its passengers' inquiries via social media.

“Because this is not an airport we serve, plans may take a little longer to be implemented,” the airline responded to Odell's post on X. “You will need to wait for airport personnel to assist you. Please know that safety is our top priority in all decisions. We thank you for your patience,” it added.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement on the incident:

“JetBlue Airways Flight 1189 landed safely at Salina Regional Airport in Kansas at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, September 21, after the crew reported smoke in the cargo hold. The Airbus A320 took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and was en route to San Diego International Airport. The FAA will investigate the case. Please contact the airline for further information.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information arrives.

Seth Odell