Passengers aboard a JetBlue flight were hospitalized after a sudden loss of altitude forced an emergency landing in Florida on Thursday, authorities reported.
The flight, which departed from Cancún and was bound for Newark, New Jersey, experienced the unexpected drop midair. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced in a statement that it is currently investigating the incident.
The Airbus A320 was diverted to Tampa International Airport around 2 p.m., according to the FAA. It remains unclear how many passengers were injured or the extent of their injuries.
An air traffic control recording shared on LiveATC.net captured a radio call reporting: “We have at least three injured. It looks like possible head lacerations.”
Medical personnel evaluated passengers and crew at the airport, and some were transported to local hospitals, JetBlue confirmed.
“Our team has removed the aircraft from service for inspection, and we will conduct a full investigation to determine the cause,” the airline said. “The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority, and we will continue to support those involved.”
This report has been updated to clarify that the aircraft was an Airbus A320, not an “Airbus 320” as initially stated by the FAA.