A JetBlue flight en route to Newark experienced a dramatic altitude drop, necessitating an emergency landing at Tampa International Airport. This unexpected diversion resulted in several passengers being hospitalized, though their injuries were not life-threatening.

The incident occurred on a flight departing from Cancun, Mexico, around 2 p.m. on Thursday. The aircraft touched down approximately 20 minutes later in Tampa, according to information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Upon landing, medical personnel promptly attended to the passengers and crew at the airport. Tampa Fire Rescue officials reported that between 15 and 20 passengers were subsequently transported to local hospitals for further evaluation and treatment.

The pilots of the Airbus A320 alerted air traffic controllers to a “flight control issue” that led to the injuries onboard. Communication captured on LiveATC.net revealed an urgent message indicating that at least three individuals were injured, including one with a head laceration.

JetBlue has since removed the aircraft from service pending a thorough inspection, and the FAA has launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the altitude anomaly.

In a statement, JetBlue emphasized their commitment to safety, assuring that they will conduct a comprehensive investigation to understand the incident better. “The safety of our customers and crewmembers is always our first priority, and we will work to support those involved,” the airline affirmed.