A JetBlue passenger plane blew all six tires while landing at Sacramento International Airport on early Thursday afternoon, federal and airline officials said.
JetBlue flight 262 departed Long Beach Airport at around 11.41 a.m. local time on Thursday, about 22 minutes later than scheduled, and landed on Runway 16R at Sacramento International Airport at approximately 12.51 p.m. local time.
“Initial reports indicate that upon landing in Sacramento, Flight 262 reported an issue with the brakes,” said Sharon Jones, a spokeswoman for JetBlue. “The crew elected to evacuate the aircraft in an abundance of caution. The airport fire department reported immediately to the aircraft and EMS personnel are on-site to assist.”
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said the tires began smoking or caught fire upon landing, after which the crew deployed the emergency slides of the aircraft. “Passengers evacuated the plane using the slides,” Gregor said.
According to Jones, initial reports indicate that all six tires blew upon landing.
Jones said a total of 86 passengers were on board the Airbus A320, along with two pilots and three in-flight crew members. “We can confirm that five customers reported minor injuries and were taken to the hospital,” she said.
The plane was still on the runway at 3 p.m.
