JetBlue Airways experienced an alarming runway crisis in Boston Logan International Airport as its brand new Airbus A220 deviated from the runway while landing, an immediate evacuation order was called, an investigation by the FAA was launched promptly, the ground was temporarily closed, and mass flight delays occurred, in one of the most sensational aviation events in recent times.

An Airbus A220-300 operated by JetBlue Airways experienced a runway excursion at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on Thursday, leading to temporary airport disruptions and a federal investigation. The incident resulted in the closure of the affected runway while emergency response teams secured the scene and assessed the situation. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop, halting incoming flights to Boston for a period of time.

The FAA ordered all inbound flights bound for Boston Logan to hold at their departure points until 14:00 EST, according to data from FlightAware. Meanwhile, outbound flights from Boston faced delays reaching up to 45 minutes. The temporary halt in flight operations caused a ripple effect throughout the airport’s busy schedule during peak hours.

The plane in question was operating under JetBlue flight number 312. According to Flightradar24 data, the plane departed on time from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) at 08:41 CST. After pushing back from gate G2, the A220-300 taxied to runway 9R and took off at 09:04. Shortly after departure, the aircraft made a slight turn to align with its flight path over Lake Michigan and climbed to a cruising altitude of 31,000 feet just 24 minutes into the flight.

The flight maintained cruising altitude for nearly an hour while traveling east across the United States. Around 11:22 EST, while flying over eastern New York north of Albany, the crew initiated its descent toward Boston Logan. As the aircraft approached the airport, it followed a standard approach path, positioning itself north of the airport before aligning for its final descent onto runway 33. The aircraft touched down at approximately 11:49 EST.

Upon landing, the aircraft was unable to stay on the runway and drifted off into a grassy area beside it. Video footage captured from above showed the plane stationary in the grass, with emergency response vehicles quickly arriving on scene. Passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft using an emergency escape slide located at the right aft door.

Although it remains unclear whether weather conditions contributed to the incident, early reports suggest that a potential “nose wheel steering failure” may have played a role. Aviation monitoring account JonNYC initially raised this possibility, though officials have yet to confirm the cause of the runway excursion.Thankfully, there were no reported injuries to either passengers or crew members.

Boston Logan officials closed the runway following the incident to allow for a full assessment of the aircraft and the scene. The ground stop implemented by the FAA was lifted around 13:18 EST, approximately 90 minutes after it was issued, allowing normal operations to gradually resume. The runway closure temporarily impacted operations but did not lead to any widespread cancellations or major disruptions beyond the initial delays.

The aircraft involved in the incident, registered as N3242J, is a relatively new addition to JetBlue’s fleet. According to ch-aviation data, the Airbus A220-300 completed its first flight on December 20, 2024, before being delivered to JetBlue on January 17, 2025. At just five months old, the airframe was among the newest operating in JetBlue’s growing A220 fleet, which the airline has introduced to modernize its narrowbody operations with enhanced fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.

Following the incident, the aircraft is expected to remain grounded while JetBlue conducts a full internal investigation alongside the FAA’s official inquiry. Details regarding N3242J’s next scheduled flight have not been disclosed, though it appears the event did not have an immediate impact on the airline’s other flight operations.

While incidents like this are relatively rare, runway excursions remain among the most common types of aviation accidents. The Flight Safety Foundation previously estimated that approximately 30 runway excursions involving commercial flights occur worldwide each year. However, FAA data indicates a much higher rate of overall runway incursions — separate from excursions — with more than 500 incursions reported so far this year. Runway excursions occur when an aircraft departs from the intended runway surface during takeoff, landing, or taxiing, while incursions involve unauthorized presence or conflicts on active runways.

JetBlue’s A220-300 fleet, while still in its early stages of integration, has been a key part of the airline’s fleet renewal strategy. The A220-300 offers advanced flight deck technology, reduced fuel burn, and improved passenger comfort compared to older aircraft. Its strong performance characteristics have made it ideal for JetBlue’s short- and medium-haul routes, including popular city pairs like Chicago to Boston.

The FAA will continue its investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident, focusing on aircraft systems, maintenance records, pilot actions, and weather conditions. Any potential issues involving the nose wheel steering system, as speculated, will be thoroughly analyzed to ensure safety standards are upheld across the fleet.

Despite the runway excursion, JetBlue’s quick response ensured the safety of everyone onboard. Emergency services arrived promptly, and the orderly evacuation minimized further risk. The airline emphasized its commitment to safety in a statement and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

The incident at Boston Logan International Airport serves as a stark reminder of the challenges involved in operating one of the busiest airports in the country. Quick coordination between air traffic controllers, emergency response teams, and the FAA allowed the situation to be brought under control without any severe disruptions to overall airport operations.

As investigations continue, both JetBlue and the FAA will work to ensure that lessons learned from the incident contribute to maintaining high safety standards in commercial aviation. While runway excursions such as this are uncommon, the aviation industry’s strict regulatory framework ensures that even minor incidents are carefully analyzed to prevent future occurrences.

JetBlue Airways witnessed its new Airbus A220 skid off the runway in a dramatic runway occurrence at Boston Logan that triggered an evacuation, FAA investigation, ground stop, and extensive flight delays.

The safe handling of the event, combined with the professionalism of the crew, emergency responders, and airport personnel, highlights the robust safety systems in place within the aviation industry today.

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