Plane Carrying Panthers Players Runs Off Taxiway After Landing; No Injuries Reported
August 9, 2024
A plane carrying members of the Carolina Panthers ran off the taxiway after landing early Friday morning.
Delta Airlines wrote in a statement (h/t Anders J. Hare of WCNC-NBC in Charlotte) that no passengers were injured when the plane veered off the taxiway and into a muddy area around 2:35 a.m. local time.
"The right main gear of Delta 8860 exited the taxiway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport following a normal arrival," the statement said. "No injuries were reported by the 188 customers who are deplaning and being bused to the terminal. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience."
The Panthers issued a statement confirming the situation and that no one was injured.
Ian Rapoport @RapSheetFrom the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a>: "The team can confirm that their chartered team plane, after landing safely, did run off the taxiway and into mud. The team can also confirm that no injuries were reported and one was hurt." <a href="https://t.co/TfR0uz9IEY">https://t.co/TfR0uz9IEY</a>
Panthers players and coaches were returning to Charlotte after the team's preseason game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Thursday night.
FlightAware records show Delta flight 8860 left at 12:45 a.m. ET from Providence, Rhode Island, and arrived in Charlotte at 2:41 a.m. ET.
Per WBTV News in Charlotte, all the passengers were taken off the plane before the flight crew got the plane back on the taxiway and moved it away. It also noted airport officials confirmed airfield lighting and the taxiway was fully operational before the incident.
The Panthers are scheduled to hold their next practice on Saturday morning. They will host the New York Jets for a joint practice on Aug. 15 before the two teams play a preseason game two days later at Bank of America Stadium.