Carolina Panthers' Delta flight veers off taxiway at Charlotte Douglas Airport, no injuries reported

Alex Parker

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Carolina Panthers' Delta flight runs off taxiway after preseason loss.

Why it matters: The incident raises concerns about airport safety and highlights the potential risks involved in air travel for sports teams.

The Carolina Panthers' Delta flight ran off the taxiway at Charlotte Douglas Airport following their preseason loss to the New England Patriots. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the players and staff members on board.

What's new: Emergency crews responded to the scene promptly, and the airport confirmed that the lighting and taxiway were fully operational.

Yes, but: Despite the lack of injuries, the incident is a reminder that accidents can happen even during routine operations.

What to watch: It will be important to monitor any investigations or reports regarding the cause of the incident to prevent similar situations in the future.

Delta towed the aircraft out of the movement area, and the taxiway was repaired and reopened, allowing normal operations to resume.

What's next: The team was transported back to the air center via bus, experiencing an hour-long delay due to the incident.

  • Delta spokesperson: "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."

The bottom line: While no injuries occurred in this incident, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining vigilance and safety protocols during air travel, especially for professional sports teams.