Smoke in the cabin forces evacuation on taxiway, temporarily shutting down newark airport
On Wednesday evening, Feb. 18, 2026, a JetBlue Airbus A320 returning to Newark Liberty International Airport after takeoff was evacuated on the taxiway when crew members reported smoke in the cockpit. The emergency slide evacuation prompted a temporary shutdown of the airport and an FAA investigation. Flight operations resumed later that night, but travelers should expect continuing delays.
What happened
The JetBlue flight left Newark at about 5: 45 p. m. ET for Palm Beach, Florida, but turned back almost immediately following an apparent engine problem. The jet landed safely and exited the runway. As the aircraft reached the taxiway, the crew reported smoke in the cockpit and deployed emergency slides to evacuate passengers. The evacuation took place around 5: 55 p. m. ET.
Port Authority personnel and emergency responders surrounded the aircraft on arrival. An emergency medical transport took one passenger to a local hospital after that individual reported chest pains. Airport the aircraft was later moved from the taxiway so normal operations could resume.
Airport operations and official response
Emergency slide evacuations on active taxiways trigger automatic safety procedures that temporarily halt ground operations; the airport was placed under a ground stop while responders cleared the scene and moved the aircraft. Newark reopened and flight operations resumed at roughly 7: 00 p. m. ET, though officials warned that ripple effects would create delays into the night.
The Federal Aviation Administration released a statement noting that it will investigate the incident. Airline representatives emphasized that passenger and crew safety is their top priority and that they are cooperating with federal authorities as the cause of the smoke is examined.
Passenger accounts and next steps
Passengers described a sudden loud bang before the pilot announced the need to turn back for an emergency landing. One passenger, Alexandra Svokos, said people could both see and smell smoke near the cockpit and that the evacuation felt chaotic as travelers rushed down the slides to get clear of the aircraft. She described the landing itself as smooth and said she and others were relieved to be safely on the ground.
Authorities collected passenger statements at the scene and coordinated with medical teams and aircraft recovery crews. The airline indicated it will assist customers affected by the disruption and work with federal investigators to determine what created the smoke and whether the earlier engine issue was related.
The FAA investigation will review maintenance records, cockpit voice and flight data, and any available surveillance or onboard camera footage to establish a timeline and causal factors. Airport operations staff have procedures in place to clear taxiways and runways after such evacuations, and officials say the priority remains passenger safety while limiting impacts to the broader flight schedule.
Travelers planning to use Newark later in the evening were advised to expect delays as the airport recovered from the incident and airlines adjusted schedules. The airline and federal officials will provide updates as the investigation continues.
