Royal Jordanian Crew Bus Crash Kills Two on LIE in Queens

A chartered coach bus transporting Royal Jordanian crew members overturned on the Long Island Expressway in Queens late Monday, killing two people and injuring dozens of airline staff. The crash occurred around 11:45 p.m. near the Greenpoint Avenue exit in Maspeth after the bus crossed into oncoming traffic.

The bus was carrying crew from Flight RJ8261, which had arrived from Amman, Jordan, at John F. Kennedy International Airport at approximately 9:45 p.m. Authorities identified the deceased as the bus driver and flight attendant Moad Farid Mohd Obaidat, 42, of New York City. Royal Jordanian confirmed that several other crew members were injured and remain in stable condition receiving medical treatment.

Investigation and Safety Implications

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the crash; no official determination has been made regarding driver error or mechanical failure. The incident has renewed scrutiny of crew ground-transport protocols — a segment of airline operations typically managed by third-party contractors and subject to far less regulatory oversight than flight operations themselves. Royal Jordanian extended condolences to the victim's family and said it is coordinating with local officials. The airline has not announced flight cancellations, though the loss of multiple crew members may affect short-term scheduling on its JFK routes.