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At least 15 passengers have been left with injuries after a JetBlue passenger plane suddenly dropped around 25,000 feet in altitude. The A320's pilot was heard requesting medical assistance from air traffic controllers after the plane experienced a control issue and was forced to make an emergency descent.

The JetBlue flight (B61230) was headed to Newark, New Jersey, after departing from Cancún, Mexico, on Thursday (October 30) but was diverted to Florida, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. The plane had reached an altitude of 35,000 feet and a cruising speed of over 620mph before it suddenly dropped around an hour into the flight. "JetBlue 1230 descending to 10,000, we're levelling 297," the pilot can be heard saying in the now-released audio. "We need medical equipment; we have at least three people injured, maybe a laceration in the head."

The flight was met by medical personnel who evaluated the passengers and crew members upon landing. At least 15 people were taken to hospitals in the Tampa area once the plane landed.

The affected passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Tampa Fire Rescue spokesperson.

"JetBlue Airlines Flight 1230 diverted to Tampa International Airport around 2:00 p.m. local time on Oct. 30 after the crew experienced a flight control issue," a spokesperson for the FAA said. "The Airbus 320 left Cancun International Airport and was headed to Newark Liberty International Airport."

The FAA has launched an investigation into why the plane dropped in altitude, and JetBlue officials have said the aircraft has been taken out of service for inspection.

"The safety of our customers and crewmembers is always our first priority, and we will work to support those involved," a spokesperson for the airline said.

This news comes as a small plane crashed on a street near the Saratoga County Airport, in New York, on Friday (October 31). Local reports claim the pilot has died, while a passenger has been rushed to Albany Medical Center for treatment. A witness said the aircraft, a single-engine 1964 Mooney M20E, crashed into a tree. Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo added that it was just a yard away from crashing into a home on the street.