NEWARK, New Jersey — A JetBlue flight was forced to return to Newark Liberty International Airport due to an engine failure, prompting a temporary suspension of operations as passengers were evacuated via emergency slides. The incident occurred Wednesday evening shortly after the plane took off at approximately 5:45 p.m., bound for West Palm Beach, Florida.

According to airport officials, as the aircraft ascended, crew members detected an issue with the engine, leading the pilot to turn the flight around. Passengers reported hearing a loud bang accompanied by a flash near the wing, with some initially fearing that the plane may have been struck by lightning.

“It was calm at first, but the mood quickly shifted to panic as the evacuation began,” said Alexandra Svokos, a passenger on the flight. She described how, moments after the announcement from the pilot that there was a problem, flight attendants began directing passengers to leave the aircraft using slides.

Once safely on the ground, smoke was observed coming from the cockpit. Video footage captured the scene, showing the cockpit filling with smoke, which raised immediate concerns for crew and passengers alike. Emergency responders quickly surrounded the aircraft, ensuring safety protocols were followed as passengers exited.

Svokos noted that the evacuation was chaotic, with passengers rushing for the exits upon realizing they would need to use the slides. “There were no clear instructions initially, and people just started running for the exits,” she said. “It wasn’t the best moment for humanity.”

Fortunately, all aboard the Airbus A320 were reported unharmed. Following the incident, flight operations at Newark were halted for approximately one hour as the aircraft was cleared from the taxiway, but the airport resumed normal operations around 7 p.m.

In the aftermath, JetBlue reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety. The airline stated it will cooperate fully with the appropriate federal authorities to investigate the occurrence. Travelers were advised to check with airlines for real-time updates regarding their flights.

Safety remains a top priority for the airline as it addresses the concerns stemming from the incident. Emergency protocols and crew training are critical components in ensuring passenger safety following events like these.