'Cosmic Rays' from Supernova May Have Caused JetBlue Flight's Sudden Drop, Expert Says

NEED TO KNOW

A space and radiation expert claims a JetBlue flight incident that left at least 15 people hospitalized may have been caused by "cosmic rays"

The statement contradicts an explanation from Airbus, the plane's manufacturer, which cited "solar radiation" as the cause

Clive Dyer, the expert at the University of Surrey, told Space.com solar activity was insignificant the day of the incident

A space and radiation expert is disagreeing with Airbus’ recent explanation of a flight incident that left at least 15 people injured back in October.

On Oct. 30, a JetBlue Airbus A320 aircraft traveling from Mexico to New Jersey experienced a sudden drop in altitude forcing an emergency landing in Tampa, Fla. At the time, Tampa Rescue confirmed to PEOPLE that “approximately 15 to 20 pass