JetBlue Flight Diverted to Tampa; 15–20 Injured

JetBlue Flight 1230, an Airbus A320 from Cancún to Newark, was diverted to Tampa International Airport on Oct. 30 after pilots reported a flight‑control issue that produced a sudden altitude drop—reports say the jet descended from about 35,000 feet to roughly 10,000 feet, with one account noting a 100‑foot fall in seven seconds. The crew declared an emergency and landed safely around 2:18–2:19 p.m. local time, where medical personnel met the aircraft to evaluate passengers and crew. Tampa Bay Fire Rescue and local officials said about 15–20 people suffered non‑life‑threatening injuries and several were transported to hospitals; at least one passenger had a head laceration. JetBlue removed the aircraft from service, pledged support for those involved and said it will conduct a full investigation, while the FAA has opened a formal probe. Initial accounts indicate a technical/flight‑control problem rather than weather, and authorities are working to determine the precise cause.