On the morning of Thursday, June 12, 2025, JetBlue Flight 312 from Chicago O'Hare International Airport experienced a harrowing incident upon landing at Boston Logan International Airport. The Airbus A220, a relatively new aircraft manufactured in 2024, veered off runway 33-L and rolled into the grass while turning off the runway. Despite the alarming turn of events, no injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely evacuated and transported to the terminal.
The flight departed Chicago at 8:41 a.m. Central Time and touched down at Logan around 11:49 a.m. Eastern Time. Shortly after landing, at approximately 11:55 a.m., the plane skidded off the runway, leading to an immediate ground stop for all flights departing and arriving at Logan. Emergency crews swiftly responded to the scene, with multiple fire engines and emergency vehicles surrounding the aircraft.
Passengers disembarked the plane using stairs and were subsequently bused to the terminal. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) confirmed the runway remained closed for a thorough assessment of the aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed the ground stop was lifted around 1:18 p.m., approximately an hour and a half after it was put in place, but ground delays persisted into the afternoon, affecting roughly 14% of departing flights.
JetBlue issued a statement underscoring that safety remains its top priority. The airline pledged to conduct a full investigation and cooperate closely with relevant authorities to determine the cause of the incident. “Safety is JetBlue’s top priority,” the statement read. “We will conduct a full investigation of the incident and will work closely with the relevant authorities to understand the cause.”
Passengers aboard Flight 312 recounted their experiences during the unsettling landing. Melinda Wang, a seasoned traveler visiting her daughter in Brighton, described the landing as “exceedingly rough” but expressed confidence in the pilot’s handling of the situation. “It was actually very calm. We all kind of trusted that they knew what to do, and they did,” Wang said.
Another passenger, Drew Greenberg, recalled the moment the plane veered off the runway. “In my head I was like that was pretty weird. Felt like a rough landing. Put up my window and we were in the middle of the grass. So, that was pretty interesting, yeah,” he remarked.
More detailed accounts came from passengers who experienced the loss of steering control firsthand. According to an air traffic control transmission obtained from LiveATC.net, the pilot reported, “Yeah, so we had no steering on this runway here.” Passenger Drew Behmoiras described feeling the aircraft turn sharply left at full speed after touchdown. “At first no one really seemed super worried, it felt like a smooth landing. But we fully went left, veered off the runway while we were still at full speed,” he said.
Adam Glick, another passenger from Chicago, called it his “first real plane scare” and was relieved no one was injured. He quoted the pilot saying she had lost full control of the steering wheel, which he found “very alarming.” “You never know, something could have been worse,” Glick added, reflecting the anxiety shared by many onboard.
Aviation expert and former Massport CEO Tom Kinton offered insight into the technical aspects of the incident. He suggested the plane’s brakes may have locked up during landing, likely on the left main gear, which caused the loss of steering. “It appears it went in at a low speed, the grass doesn’t seem to be torn up, indicating that it was a very controlled speed that went in there, but clearly lost steering for some reason,” Kinton explained.
Passengers also shared their emotional reactions. One woman described the sensation as a “rollercoaster feeling” when the plane sharply turned left and veered off the runway. She noted the pilot made no announcements during the landing but informed passengers afterward that steering control had been lost. Another passenger likened the landing to turbulent conditions typical of flying through a rainstorm.
The Transport Workers Union of America Local 579, representing JetBlue flight attendants, confirmed all crew and customers were safe. President Tyesha Best stated, “We remain in contact with the company to provide all needed support for those affected.”
The incident prompted a temporary halt to airport operations, with the FAA declaring a ground stop “due to aircraft emergency.” The runway closure and ground stop led to delays averaging nearly two hours for flights at Logan.
Despite the unsettling circumstances, the coordinated response from the pilot, crew, emergency personnel, and airport authorities ensured the safety of all passengers. The aircraft was eventually moved off the grass after receiving clearance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
As investigations continue, JetBlue and federal authorities are focused on uncovering the precise cause of the steering failure. Meanwhile, passengers like Adam Glick voiced lingering concerns given recent aviation issues but expressed gratitude for the outcome. “I’m aware in the news there’s been a lot of trouble with planes and aviation lately. But definitely keep me second guessing and now I’m a little scared on my flight home on Sunday,” he admitted.
This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of modern air travel and the critical importance of pilot skill and emergency preparedness. For now, Boston Logan is returning to normal operations, with the FAA and JetBlue dedicated to ensuring such an event does not recur.
