CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Delta flight carrying Carolina Panthers players was met with emergency vehicles after it ran off the taxiway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport early Friday morning, the airline said.
Around 2:35 a.m., the plane, Delta Flight 8860, landed safely on runway 36R, located closest to the Billy Graham Parkway. As the plane made its way to a gate, it went off the taxiway and into mud, the airline said.
Witnesses on scene told WCNC Charlotte the flight was carrying players with the Carolina Panthers.
No injuries were reported following the incident, according to officials. Passengers were deplaned shortly after the incident and taken to Wilson Air Center. Wilson Air Center uses the same runways and taxiways as Charlotte Douglas International Airport and acts like a passenger terminal for many chartered or private flights.
Delta Airlines issued the following statement:
"The right main gear of Delta 8860 exited the taxiway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport following a normal arrival. 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.”
A Carolina Panthers spokesperson deferred WCNC Charlotte to Delta's statement but did not add any further details.
DL8850 was traveling from Providence, Rhode Island to Charlotte and was carrying a total of 188 passengers at the time of the incident, the airline said.
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