NEW YORK- A brand new JetBlue (B6) Airbus A220-300 has been grounded after its wingtip collided with the terminal, breaking windows of an Applebee’s restaurant.
The incident occurred during pushback at Richmond International Airport (RIC) before departure to Boston (BOS).
JetBlue flight B6 1282, operated by the 4-month-old aircraft registered N3257J, was scheduled for Richmond (RIC) to Boston (BOS). The mishap forced the airline to deplane passengers, source a spare aircraft, and depart nearly five hours later than scheduled.
Photo: By Matthew Groh – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116265094JetBlue Airbus A220 Grounded
The accident occurred on September 11, around 12:10 PM, during pushback from the gate. The tug driver pushed the aircraft too far, causing the left-hand wingtip to smash into the terminal building and break several Applebee’s restaurant windows.
The damage wrecked the wingtip and immediately grounded the jet.
Reported by PYOK, the A220 had been delivered from Airbus’s Canadian factory just four months ago, making the incident a setback for JetBlue’s new fleet program.
Passengers were safely deplaned, and JetBlue sourced a spare aircraft to operate the route. Departure was delayed by around five hours while the damaged aircraft was removed from service for repairs.
Flight and Aircraft Details
- Flight Number: B6 1282
- Route: Richmond (RIC) to Boston (BOS)
- Aircraft Type: Airbus A220-300
- Registration: N3257J
- Age: 4 months
Photo: JetBlueJetBlue’s New Livery
The damaged aircraft was the first JetBlue jet to feature the “Hops” livery, which introduces violet accents on the wingtip and a refreshed design language.
The updated livery also includes an all-blue fuselage, larger tailfin designs extending onto the body, a bigger JetBlue logo on the fuselage, and branding applied to the aircraft’s underside.
First unveiled in June 2023, this rebranding marks a new visual identity for JetBlue’s growing Airbus fleet.
Photo: AirbusAirbus A220’s Role
JetBlue now operates 52 Airbus A220s, with 100 on firm order. The aircraft, which can carry 140 passengers, is central to JetBlue’s strategy to modernize and standardize its fleet.
The A220 replaces the Embraer E190 regional jets, the last of which was retired earlier this week.
JetBlue’s Chief Operating Officer, Warren Christie, acknowledged the E190s were “instrumental” in the airline’s early years but highlighted the A220’s improved range and efficiency as key to opening new markets.
Photo: JetBlueSimilar Recent Incidents
Ground collisions remain rare but do occur. On September 1, two United Airlines (UA) Boeing 737s made contact at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) during pushback.
The tail of one Boeing 737 struck the tail of another parked jet while passengers were actively boarding.
Passengers described feeling the plane shake before being deplaned. Both aircraft were grounded, and United arranged alternate jets to complete the journeys.
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