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JetBlue 194 - Hydraulics Issue KLAS

JetBlue 194 returns to Las Vegas after losing two hydraulic systems and burning off fuel.

2012-06-19 Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (KLAS), Nevada

Summary

Shortly after takeoff from Las Vegas, JetBlue Flight 194 experienced a dual hydraulic system failure. The crew declared an emergency and requested extended radar vectors to complete extensive checklists and burn off fuel to reach a safe landing weight before returning to land safely.

Analysis

This recording captures a serious technical emergency involving the loss of two out of three hydraulic systems on an Airbus A320. In the Airbus architecture (Green, Blue, and Yellow systems), losing two systems is a "Level 3" emergency that significantly degrades the aircraft's handling characteristics, affects landing gear extension, and reduces braking capability. The pilot's initial report of "multiple problems" reflects the high workload in the cockpit as various systems powered by those hydraulics began to fail or revert to alternate laws.

A key aspect of this incident is the crew's decision to remain airborne for an extended period. Because the aircraft had just departed, it was "heavy"—likely above its Maximum Landing Weight (MLW). Landing overweight with compromised hydraulics and braking systems poses a significant risk of a runway excursion or brake fire. The pilot explicitly mentions needing "at least 30 minutes" and eventually notes they have over five hours of fuel to burn, demonstrating a methodical approach to safety rather than rushing the landing.

The interaction between the pilot and ATC is a textbook example of CRM (Crew Resource Management) and controller support. ATC offers various options, including flying 100 miles eastbound or staying close for vectors, allowing the pilots to choose the path that best suits their checklist processing. The pilot's tone remains remarkably calm despite the complexity of the failure, which involves 155 souls on board.

Ultimately, the flight landed safely on Runway 25 Right at McCarran International Airport. This event is notable for students of aviation because it highlights the "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate" hierarchy; the pilots prioritized aircraft control and checklist completion before providing detailed information to the controller, and they resisted the urge to land immediately in favor of managing their weight and configuration.

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Original ATC Communication

Plain English Translation

PILOT
Las Vegas, JetBlue 194.
PILOT
Las Vegas control, this is JetBlue flight 194.
ATC
JetBlue 194, Las Vegas.
ATC
JetBlue 194, this is Las Vegas, go ahead.
PILOT
Yeah, we've got some multiple problems working out of here. So we're going to try to follow the departure for just a little bit, but we might need a hold.
PILOT
Yeah, we’re dealing with several different problems right now after taking off. We’re going to try to stay on our planned exit route for a bit, but we might need to stop and fly in circles to buy some time.
ATC
JetBlue 194, Roger. Advise pilot intentions.
ATC
JetBlue 194, I understand. Let me know what you’re planning to do next.
ATC
JetBlue 194, repeat that again. I didn't catch what you said. What's your problem?
ATC
JetBlue 194, can you say that again? I didn’t quite hear what you said. What exactly is the problem?
PILOT
Yeah, we've got multiple problems up here. So we're just trying to work through the situation. We might try to follow the departure out, so we might need a hold here in a few minutes.
PILOT
Yeah, we’ve got multiple things going wrong up here, so we’re just trying to manage the situation. We’ll try to keep following our exit path for now, but we’ll likely need to circle in a few minutes.
ATC
All right, understand you might need to hold in just a couple of minutes. I'll tell you what, direct COWBOY, climbing to flight level 100 is approved. That way you don't have to worry about following the route there. And you said you have multiple what?
ATC
Okay, I understand you might need to circle in a couple of minutes. Tell you what, fly straight toward the COWBOY navigation point and climb to ten thousand feet. That way you don't have to worry about following the complex route. And what did you say you had several of?
PILOT
Yeah, we've got some hydraulic issues up here we've got to deal with.
PILOT
Yeah, we’ve got some issues with our hydraulic systems that we need to work through.
ATC
I got you. Just let us know.
ATC
I understand. Just keep us posted on how it's going.
PILOT
Okay, no problem.
PILOT
Okay, will do.
ATC
JetBlue 194, maintain altitude 13,000 for now until you get your issue resolved, and then we can continue the climb.
ATC
JetBlue 194, stay at thirteen thousand feet for now until you get your issues sorted out, and then we can continue your climb.
PILOT
Okay, 13,000. JetBlue 194.
PILOT
Okay, staying at thirteen thousand. JetBlue 194.
ATC
JetBlue 194, how's it going back there?
ATC
JetBlue 194, how are things looking with your situation now?
PILOT
Yeah, we're most likely returning back to Vegas. We've got to deal with some stuff, and we'll let you know. So maybe we can get a hold at COWBOY or somewhere?
PILOT
Yeah, it looks like we’re going to have to return to Las Vegas. We’ve got some things to handle first, and we’ll let you know. Could we get a spot to circle over COWBOY or somewhere else?
ATC
JetBlue 194, turn right. Right turn heading 210.
ATC
JetBlue 194, turn right. Turn to a southwest heading of 210 degrees.
PILOT
210, JetBlue 194.
PILOT
Turning to heading 210, JetBlue 194.
ATC
JetBlue 194, we're going to keep you in our airspace. How long do you need for holding?
ATC
JetBlue 194, we’re going to keep you here in our local area. How long do you need to circle around while you handle things?
PILOT
We've got a lot of stuff to deal with, so at least maybe 30 minutes. Plus we're heavy, so we're going to burn a lot of gas as well. So it will be a lot more than 30 minutes. We'll keep you posted. Let us work through these problems and then we'll give you an update as soon as we can.
PILOT
We have a lot of issues to manage, so we’ll need at least 30 minutes. Plus, the plane is too heavy to land right now, so we need to fly around and burn off fuel. It’s going to take much longer than 30 minutes. We’ll keep you informed. Just let us work through these problems and we’ll update you as soon as we can.
ATC
JetBlue 194, did you want to go eastbound about 100 miles and then head back, or do you just want to stay in our airspace and be vectored around?
ATC
JetBlue 194, would you like to fly 100 miles east and then come back, or would you prefer to stay close and have us give you specific directions to fly in circles?
PILOT
Yeah, I'd like to stay close to the airport. So if you can just radar vector us, please.
PILOT
Yes, I’d prefer to stay close to the airport. If you could just give us directions on the radar to keep us nearby, please.
ATC
JetBlue 194, Roger. Expect vectors for fuel.
ATC
Understood, JetBlue 194. We’ll give you directions to fly while you burn off that extra weight.
ATC
JetBlue 194, turn right heading 240.
ATC
JetBlue 194, turn right to a compass heading of 240 degrees.
PILOT
240, JetBlue 194. And Las Vegas Approach, JetBlue 194.
PILOT
Heading 240, JetBlue 194. And Las Vegas controllers, this is JetBlue 194 again.
ATC
JetBlue 194, Approach.
ATC
JetBlue 194, we’re listening.
PILOT
Yeah, I'm declaring an emergency at this time. So we still need radar vectors, though.
PILOT
Yes, I’m officially declaring an emergency now. We still need you to give us directions to fly, though.
ATC
JetBlue 194, Roger. Declaring an emergency, and you still want to hold for half an hour plus—is that correct?
ATC
JetBlue 194, understood. You’re declaring an emergency, but you still want to circle for at least another half hour—is that right?
PILOT
Yeah, because we've still got a lot of checklists to go through up here and we're heavy, so I have to burn a lot of gas.
PILOT
That’s right, because we still have a lot of emergency procedures to work through up here and the plane is still too heavy, so I have to burn off more fuel before we can land.
ATC
JetBlue 194, Roger. Just verify the nature of the emergency.
ATC
Understood, JetBlue 194. Can you tell us exactly what kind of emergency you’re dealing with?
PILOT
Well, right now it's quite a few things, but the initial thing is we lost two of our hydraulic systems.
PILOT
Well, it’s several things right now, but the main problem is that we’ve lost two of our hydraulic systems that control the plane.
ATC
JetBlue 194, Roger. And can you say souls on board?
ATC
JetBlue 194, copy that. And how many people, including crew and passengers, do you have on board?
PILOT
155 souls.
PILOT
There are 155 people on board.
ATC
All right, and how about fuel, JetBlue 194?
ATC
Understood. And what is your fuel status, JetBlue 194?
PILOT
We've got 37,120 pounds of gas, which translates to—at the current fuel rate, standby—about five and a half hours of fuel.
PILOT
We have 37,120 pounds of fuel on board, which means—based on how much we’re burning right now, one second—we can stay in the air for about five and a half hours.
ATC
Six-two, good day.
ATC
Six-two, have a good flight.
PILOT
Las Vegas Tower, JetBlue 194. We're inbound, runway 25 right.
PILOT
Las Vegas Tower, this is JetBlue 194. We’re heading in for a landing on runway 25 right.
ATC
JetBlue 194, Las Vegas Tower. Wind 210 at 14. Runway 25 right, cleared to land.
ATC
JetBlue 194, Las Vegas Tower. The wind is coming from the southwest at 14 knots. You are authorized to land on runway 25 right.
PILOT
Cleared to land, JetBlue 194, 25 right.
PILOT
Authorized to land on 25 right, JetBlue 194.
ATC
Emergency vehicles will wait on runway 25 right from the approach end. They will wait short of runway 19 left. JetBlue 194, change to 126.975.
ATC
The fire trucks and ambulances will be waiting near the start of runway 25 right. They will stay just clear of the intersecting runway 19 left. JetBlue 194, switch your radio over to 126.975.
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