A severe jet blast from a Korean Air Airbus A380 damaged the windshield of a JetBlue Airways A321 aircraft at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York, on December 5, 2024. The incident occurred around 12:20 AM UTC (7:20 PM local time) while both planes were on the same runway, leading to significant damage to the JetBlue aircraft but, fortunately, no injuries.
Korean Air was operating flight KE85 from Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul to New York JFK. The A380, registered as HL7621, had safely landed at JFK and was taxing to its terminal when the blast occurred. Meanwhile, the JetBlue flight, arriving from Bridgetown, Barbados, was completing its landing on the same runway, 4L/22R, shortly after the Korean Air A380 had touched down.
The force of the jet blast from the A380 was so intense that it caused debris to be lifted into the air, striking the JetBlue A321’s left-side windshield. The damage was severe enough to shatter the windshield but miraculously, no injuries were reported inside the cockpit or among personnel on the ground. Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, ensuring that both aircraft were safely cleared from the runway.
The Korean Air A380 involved in the incident is an 11.9-year-old aircraft, registered under the code HL7621. Despite the frightening nature of the jet blast, both flights managed to reach their respective terminals without further incident.
The situation highlights the significant risks associated with jet blasts, particularly when aircraft are taxiing near each other on busy runways. The incident also underscores the importance of maintaining appropriate safety protocols to mitigate such occurrences.
As investigations into the cause of the powerful jet blast continue, aviation experts are expected to closely examine the circumstances surrounding the timing and proximity of both flights on the runway. While the event could have had more severe consequences, it serves as a reminder of the critical nature of runway safety measures and the potential risks posed by large aircraft, such as the A380, during taxiing operations.