AVIATION/ NTSB UPDATES ON JETBLUE FL262

The NTSB has released its Preliminary Report into the incident involving JETBLUE Flight 262, an A320, on August 26, 2010, at Sacramento, California. On that date, Flight 262 was on Domestic Service from Long Beach, California, to Sacramento, with 86 passengers and 5 crew members onboard. The A320 landed hard in Sacramento with a "loud thump," followed by all 4 main gear tires deflating. Sparks and flames were then seen from the undercarriage and the Captain ordered an evacuation. Emergency Services responded and cooled the undercarriage. According to the FAA, 4 passengers suffered minor injuries in the incident and were treated at a local hospital. According to the NTSB, the park brake became engaged during the approach into Sacramento when the A320 was at 5100 feet. The park brake remained engaged thru-out the landing. The Co-Pilot was Pilot flying, and both flight crew members did not notice an anomaly. All indications were reported as normal and there were no indications or warnings received regarding the brakes. Upon touchdown, the Co-Pilot remarked that it felt like a tire had blown. It was then that the tower notified the flight crew about the sparks and flames seen coming from the undercarriage. An FAA inspection found all 4 main gear tires deflated, with the wheel rims ground down. The main gear tires showed evidence of being locked during touchdown. In the report, the NTSB also clarified that 7 passengers suffered minor injuries in the evacuation, up from 4 that the FAA reported on the day of the incident. The investigation continues.