Date: 21st September 2005
Location: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), CA, USA
Aircraft: Airbus A320-232, registration N536JB (“Canyon Blue”)
Operator: JetBlue Airways
Flight Number: 292
Route: Burbank (BUR), CA, to New York JFK, NY, USA
Occupants: 146 (140 passengers, 6 crew)
Injuries: None reported
Summary of Events
On 21st September 2005, JetBlue Airways Flight 292, an Airbus A320, encountered a nose landing gear failure shortly after departure from Bob Hope Airport (Burbank) en route to New York JFK. The crew was unable to retract the nose landing gear due to a hydraulic fault, which caused the wheels to lock in a 90-degree position—perpendicular to the aircraft body.
The flight crew executed a low-altitude flyby over Long Beach Airport, where air traffic controllers visually confirmed the misalignment. Given the risk of fire or structural damage upon landing, the crew opted to burn excess fuel by flying figure-eight holding patterns for over three hours. The decision to divert to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was made to utilize the airport’s longer runways and advanced emergency response capabilities.
At approximately 18:20 local time, Captain Scott Burke executed a textbook landing on LAX’s Runway 25L. The crew kept the nose gear off the ground as long as possible, landing initially on the main gear. Sparks and flames were observed as the nose wheels made contact with the tarmac, but the tires deflated as designed, preventing further damage. All 146 occupants were evacuated safely without injuries.
Aircraft Details
• Type: Airbus A320-232
• Registration: N536JB (“Canyon Blue”)
• Engines: 2x IAE V2527-A5
• Fuel Capacity: 27,200 litres (no fuel jettison capability)
• Configuration: Passenger aircraft
Sequence of Events
1. Takeoff from Burbank (15:17 Local Time):
• Shortly after departure, the crew received ECAM messages indicating nose gear failure (WHEEL N/W STRG FAULT).
• The nose gear shock absorber fault caused the wheels to lock at a 90-degree angle, preventing retraction.
2. Low-Altitude Flyby:
• ATC at Long Beach visually confirmed the misalignment during a low pass.
• Recognizing the risks of fire and damage, the crew opted to burn fuel to reduce the aircraft’s landing weight.
3. Holding Pattern:
• For over three hours, the aircraft flew figure-eight patterns to burn off excess fuel.
• The crew decided to divert to Los Angeles International Airport due to its longer runways and superior emergency services.
4. Cabin Preparation:
• The cabin crew maintained order, instructing passengers to relocate to the rear of the cabin to reduce nose weight.
• Passengers were briefed to assume the brace position for landing.
5. Landing at LAX (18:20 Local Time):
• The aircraft landed on Runway 25L with the main gear touching down first.
• The crew kept the nose gear off the ground for as long as possible before the nose wheels made contact, sparking briefly as the tires deflated.
• The aircraft came to a halt approximately 1,000 feet from the runway end without incident.
6. Evacuation and Post-Landing Assessment:
• Emergency responders were on standby but did not deploy firefighting foam.
• All 146 occupants were safely evacuated with no injuries reported.
Initial Findings
1. Nose Gear Malfunction:
• Fatigue failure of anti-rotation lugs in the nose gear assembly caused the wheels to lock at a 90-degree angle.
2. System Design Flaw:
• The Brake Steering Control Unit (BSCU) failed to realign the wheels due to a loss of hydraulic feedback during gear retraction.
3. Crew Actions:
• The crew demonstrated exemplary airmanship in managing the fuel burn, emergency landing, and passenger safety.
4. Aircraft Systems:
• Airbus A320’s inability to jettison fuel required prolonged fuel burn to achieve a safe landing weight.
Recommendations and Safety Improvements
1. Procedural Changes:
• Airbus issued an Operations Engineering Bulletin (OEB) providing flight crews with procedures to reset the BSCU mid-flight in similar scenarios.
2. Engineering Design:
• Enhancements were made to address vulnerabilities in the nose gear system to prevent future failures.
3. Crew Training:
• The incident reinforced the importance of pilot decision-making and emergency procedures, particularly in managing non-retractable landing gear.
Safety Lessons
The successful handling of JetBlue Flight 292 highlights critical lessons in aviation safety, including:
1. Pilot Skill and Judgement:
• Captain Burke’s decision to divert to LAX and manage the emergency ensured a safe outcome.
2. Aircraft Design:
• Modern aircraft systems are robust but require continuous evaluation and improvement following incidents.
3. Cabin Crew Preparedness:
• Effective communication and passenger management were instrumental in ensuring calm during the emergency.
4. Operational Flexibility:
• Utilizing LAX’s capabilities emphasized the importance of adapting to available resources during crises.
Conclusion
JetBlue Flight 292 serves as a benchmark in aviation safety, demonstrating the effectiveness of pilot training, aircraft engineering, and crisis management. The incident prompted valuable improvements in aircraft design and emergency procedures, ensuring safer skies for future operations.
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