Des Moines, United States: A regional jet operated by Endeavor Air under the Delta Connection brand slid off the runway while landing at Des Moines International Airport late Saturday night. All 54 passengers and four crew members were evacuated safely, and no injuries have been reported.
Flight 5087, arriving from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, landed at Des Moines International Airport at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time. According to airport officials, icy conditions on the snow-covered runway caused the aircraft to skid off the taxiway after landing. The aircraft came to rest beyond the end of the runway.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority,” Delta said in a statement, adding that operations were temporarily disrupted as a result of the incident.
All passengers and crew were safely evacuated via stairs and transported back to the terminal by buses. Local authorities confirmed there were no injuries, and emergency response teams were on-site to assist with the evacuation.
The runway slide forced Des Moines International Airport to close for several hours. Flights were delayed or canceled as airport personnel worked to secure the aircraft and ensure the runway was safe for operations. The airport reopened by mid-morning on Sunday, though some flights continued to experience delays.
The incident occurred during a severe winter storm that brought heavy snowfall and icy conditions to the region, creating hazardous conditions for air and ground travel.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is aware of the incident, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is collecting information. Airport and airline officials emphasized that icy runway conditions were the primary factor in the excursion.
