Plane stuck in mud shuts Richmond, Va., runways, delays flights
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — An American Airlines plane preparing for takeoff
went off the runway and became stuck in mud Thursday at Richmond
International Airport, shutting the airport's two main runways and
delaying nearly all incoming flights, an airport spokesman said.
American Airlines flight 1239 bound for Dallas-Fort Worth International
Airport was mired at the grassy juncture of the airport's two main
runways around 8:20 a.m., airport spokesman Troy Bell said. The runways
handle 98% of all air traffic, he said. A third runway used for regional
jets was still operational. (Related story: White pre-Christmas weather
slows holiday travelers)
None of the 129 passengers or five crew members on the MD-80 was
injured, Bell said. An evacuation was under way and Bell said he
expected it to take another two hours before the plane could be freed
from the mud.
Bell estimated that four arrivals and three departures have been affected.
It appears the pilot "underestimated his turning radius" and drove off
the runway, Bell said.
An Associated Press reporter at the airport said it was "eerily quiet"
around the baggage claim area.
