The 'Twilight' actor and his family were among the passengers of the plane which made an emergency landing after one of its engines exploded mid-flight.
- Sep 19, 2014
AceShowbiz - A JetBlue flight where Jackson Rathbone and his family was among the passengers made an emergency landing in Long Beach, California on Thursday, September 18. The "Twilight" actor detailed the incident on his social media and was grateful that he, his wife, and their 2-year-old son were safe.
The plane carried 142 passengers and five crew members. It was forced to land back in Long Beach, California half an hour after take-off after losing one of its engines during mid-flight to Austin, Texas. There was no serious injury, but at least one person was hospitalized after complaining of shortness of breath.
"We were on @jetblue flight 1416 to Austin from Long Beach. Our right engine exploded and our cabin filled with smoke," Rathbone recounted the scary incident online. "The oxygen masks did not deploy, but the brave stewardesses came around and manually deployed them. It was rough, the plane was rocking..."
"I recited the Lord's Prayer as I held my son and my wife in my arms. The pilot came on the PA and let us know we lost the right engine. We were told to brace as we careened sharply back towards land. Guided by our pilot, and I believe our guardian angels, we landed safely," he went on.
"Over the PA, the pilot yelled 'Brace!' The stewardesses made it into a chant. I wrapped my arm around us. And we braced. We landed safely. It wasn't even all that rough, honestly. I just couldn't stop kissing my family and thanking my God."
"The doors were thrown open, once on the Tarmac. The stewardesses yelled for us to get out and as far away from the airplane as possible. I grabbed my son and jumped down the inflated ramp, my wife following," he added. "We left all our personal effects onboard. Who cares. We were alive. We're safe. I'm grateful."
