An American Airlines Embraer E145 regional jet carrying 53 people slid off a taxiway at the Rochester Airport in New York on Thursday, January 18, 2024, shortly after landing in snowy conditions. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. American Eagle Flight 5811, which had departed from Philadelphia International Airport, touched down safely at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport around 4:00 p.m. local time. However, while taxiing to the terminal, the plane lost traction and veered off the taxiway, ending up on the grassy infield.
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Passengers on board shared videos and photos of the incident on social media, showing the plane sitting slightly askew in the snow. Firefighters and emergency crews quickly responded to the scene, and all passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft and transported to the terminal by bus. "Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for their experience," American Airlines said in a statement. "We are working to determine the cause of the incident and will cooperate fully with the FAA's investigation." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also likely to send investigators to the scene.
Why did the plane slide off the runway?
The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation, but snowy and slippery conditions at the airport are believed to be a contributing factor. Rochester had received several inches of snow in the hours leading up to the incident. American Airlines has also said that the plane's tires will be inspected to see if they played a role in the incident.
What happens next?
The FAA will continue its investigation into the incident, and the NTSB may also launch its own investigation. The results of these investigations will likely take several months to complete. In the meantime, American Airlines is working to rebook passengers who were on board Flight 5811.