Passengers Injured in JetBlue Hard Landing, Slide Evacuation

As many as 15 passengers were injured when a JetBlue plane blew out four tires while making a hard landing at Sacramento International Airport in California.

Passengers on the A320 had to depart the plane on emergency slides as firefighters and paramedics rushed to the scene, according to CBS News Station KOVR-TV. Some of the tires were reportedly burning for a short time.

One passenger says he heard a bang, the plane suddenly stopped, and the flight attendants shouted "Get out, get out, get out!" as they directed people to the slides.

Another passenger, Michelle McDuffie of Mission Viejo, says passengers weren't concerned until the crew began shouting.




The plane had 87 passengers and five crew members onboard. The injuries appeared to be minor, but as many as five people were taken to the hospital including one elderly woman complaining of neck pains.

Pilots reported braking trouble, according to the airline. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident.

The deployment of the emergency slides was quite a contrast to the highly publicized JetBlue incident earlier this month when disgruntled flight attendant Steven Slater left a plane by the same method.



Photo, moto@club4ag, flickr