By Frank Kamuntu
An American Airlines plane slid off the runway and into the grass shortly after landing in snowy weather Thursday at New York’s Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.
The Embraer E145, carrying 53 passengers, had just landed and was being taxied to the terminal around 4 p.m. when it slipped, FAA and American Airlines officials said.
The scary incident was caused by “snowy airfield conditions” brought on by light snowstorms across the area, an American spokesperson said.
Video shared on social media showed emergency service crews responding to the plane, with several firefighters escorting the passengers onto the snow-covered field.
Fortunately, none of the 50 passengers and three crew members were injured.
“Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for their experience. Everyone on board deplaned safely and was transported to the terminal by bus,” the American spokesperson said.
The aircraft had just made the 300-mile journey from Philadelphia International Airport, though the plane landed nearly an hour behind schedule, Flightaware data shows.
The plane was traveling toward the terminal when it slipped off the tarmac.ML Trickey/X
There were no reported injuries among the 50 passengers and three crew members.ML Trickey/X
It was snowing lightly in Rochester at the time of the slip.
The area is expecting another round of heavy snow, with a major pummeling of 2 to 4 inches per hour predicted for nearby Buffalo over the weekend.
The plane was towed off the taxiway and was taken out of service for a full inspection.
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