• N14106 United Airlines (Her Art Here-California Livery) Boeing 757-224 (1)
    United Airlines
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    UA/UAL
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Guam International Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1931
    Alliance:
    Star Alliance
    CEO:
    Scott Kirby
    Country:
    United States

A runway excursion at Dayton International Airport briefly halted operations on September 5th, according to local media.

Incident information

Air Wisconsin flight 3818, operating as United Airlines Express UA3818, arrived from Washington Dulles International Airport before 19:00 EDT on Wednesday. The jet, a 19-year-old Bombardier CRJ200LR registered as N447AW, skidded off the runway while taxiing, leading the airport to close the runway for investigation and recovery. Incoming flights were diverted to nearby airports.

As reported by WHIO TV, UA3818 veered off Runway 24L’s Taxiway G, clipping several runway markers and lights before coming to a stop on the grass.

“You don’t see the grass, generally, from the windows,” John, a passenger on the jet, explained to WHIO. “We were fine. It was over before anybody said anything.”

Fire and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene at 19:00, briefly closing the runway to check the aircraft and bus passengers to the terminal. The jet was towed from the taxiway shortly after.

Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) confirmed that no injuries were reported among the 45 passengers and crew onboard the aircraft; however, minor damage was found on the left wing.

United Airlines Express CRJ200
Operations at the airport were suspended for less than an hour, with flights resuming after the jet was towed to the terminal. Photo: Getty Images

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to join the investigation alongside the OSHP. Preliminary reports state that the crew experienced “brake and/or steering issues” and possible “thrust reverser issues” after landing.

Operations at Dayton Airport were able to resume less than an hour later, with diverted flights returning once the runway reopened.

“It was closed long enough to get out there and assess what the situation was, and once we found there were no injuries, that changed the scenario, and we could reopen the airport,” airport air service and PR manager Linda Hughes told The Columbus Dispatch. “It was a blessing that everyone was fine.”

As of October 6, the jet remains at Dayton Airport. United Airlines has been approached for comment.

Another excursion

Yesterday’s runway excursion closely mirrors another incident reported earlier this year, with United Airlines Express UA5069, also a CRJ200, veering off the runway after landing at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport on May 11th. No injuries were reported. Speaking to ABC, flight operator SkyWest Airlines noted the excursion was triggered by steering issues.

“SkyWest flight 5069, operating as United Express from Victoria Regional Airport to Houston International Airport, experienced a steering issue and rolled off the runway at the end of its landing,” the carrier commented. “There were no reported injuries, and we bused our customers to the terminal. Our maintenance team will fully inspect the aircraft.”

The FAA rated the excursion an incident, reporting that the aircraft had veered off the runway into the grass after landing in Houston, Texas. Damage was recorded as “unknown,” with the jet returning to service 17 days later.

What are your thoughts on yesterday’s incident? Have you experienced a runway excursion? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: WHIO TV, The Columbus Dispatch, The Aviation Herald