Cosmic Flare Proposed as Possible Cause of JetBlue A320's Sudden Mid‑Air Drop

Cosmic Flare Proposed as Possible Cause of JetBlue A320's Sudden Mid‑Air Drop

In October, a JetBlue Airbus A320 flying from Cancun to Newark abruptly lost altitude, injuring 15 passengers and forcing an emergency diversion to Tampa. Investigators initially labeled the event a "flight control issue" and examined the possibility of a software malfunction, but no definitive cause has been released.

This week, space weather specialists offered an unexpected hypothesis: a burst of high‑energy particles from space — often described as a cosmic flare or enhanced cosmic‑ray event — might have interfered with the aircraft's electronics.

What Experts Say

Clive Dyer, a space weather and radiation expert at the University of Surrey, told Space.com that high‑energy particles produced by stellar explosions can travel across the galaxy and, in rare cases, reach Earth's atmosphere with enough energy to disturb sensitive electronics.

Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist, explained: "They're high‑energy protons traveling nearly the speed of light. When they hit Earth's atmosphere, they create a cascade of particles — and some can reach Earth's surface." He added that most such particles are absorbed before reaching electronics, but that rare exceptions can occur.

Air safety expert Anthony Brickhouse told PIX11 there was no evidence the plunge was caused by turbulence. He noted that modern airliners rely heavily on software and that any glitch or external disruption affecting onboard systems could influence aircraft behavior.

Industry Response and Safety

Airbus has rolled out a software update across its U.S. fleet of about 6,000 aircraft. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has not yet published an updated report, and investigations remain ongoing.

Passenger guidance: Experts stress that events tied to space weather are extremely rare and that aviation authorities regularly monitor such risks. The best immediate precaution for travelers is simple and effective: keep your seat belt fastened while seated, even when the seat‑belt sign is off.

• Investigation Status: Ongoing — no final determination from the FAA.
• Industry Action: Airbus issued a software update across its U.S. fleet.
• Safety Reminder: Keep seat belts fastened while seated.

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