Engine Blast on JetBlue A321 Injures Ground Workers in Savannah

Engine Blast on JetBlue A321 Injures Ground Workers at Savannah Airport

Two ground workers sustained minor injuries after being struck by a jet blast from a JetBlue Airways Airbus A321 near the runway at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) on June 9, 2025. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation into the incident, which occurred as JetBlue flight 650 (B6650) was preparing for takeoff.

Incident Details and Investigation

According to the FAA’s preliminary report, the workers were operating close to the Runway End Identifier Light (REIL) system when they were hit by a powerful engine blast at approximately 15:19 UTC. Both individuals received immediate medical attention at the scene, and their injuries were classified as minor. The aircraft, registered as N959JB, a 9.5-year-old Airbus A321 powered by IAE V2533-A5 engines, sustained no damage. All passengers and crew aboard the flight remained unharmed. The FAA has categorized the event as an “incident” rather than an accident, given the absence of fatalities or significant damage. The Atlanta Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) is leading the official inquiry.

Broader Context and Industry Implications

This event occurs amid increased scrutiny of JetBlue and the wider aviation sector. Industry analysts anticipate that the incident will prompt heightened regulatory reviews and could lead to operational disruptions for JetBlue. The airline may face elevated insurance costs and intensified oversight from regulators and stakeholders. Passenger safety concerns have grown in response, potentially driving demand for more rigorous safety protocols across the industry. Competitors are expected to respond by reinforcing their own safety measures and increasing monitoring of similar aircraft models to mitigate the risk of comparable incidents. Furthermore, the episode raises important questions about aircraft engine reliability and maintenance, which may influence future trends and investment within the aircraft engine market.

Recent Safety-Related Events Involving JetBlue

JetBlue has experienced several safety-related incidents in recent months. On June 12, 2025, JetBlue Flight 312, an Airbus A220 arriving from Chicago O’Hare to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), veered off the runway during taxiing and came to rest on grass. No injuries were reported, and the FAA is investigating the event. The aircraft, delivered in early 2024, was undamaged, and all passengers disembarked safely. As a precaution, Massport temporarily closed the affected runway.

In December 2024, a JetBlue-operated tug collided with a Cape Air Tecnam P2012 at Boston Logan. The tug, which was towing a JetBlue A321, struck the rear of Cape Air Flight 617, which had just arrived from Nantucket.

JetBlue has reiterated that safety remains its highest priority and is cooperating fully with federal authorities in all ongoing investigations. The outcomes of these inquiries may influence future safety standards and operational practices across the aviation industry.