Panthers Plane Off Taxiway After Game
- A Delta charter plane carrying the Carolina Panthers players and staff ran off the taxiway after a preseason game.
- The incident occurred while the team was returning from a match against the New England Patriots.
- No injuries were reported, but the situation raised concerns about travel safety.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Delta Air Lines charter plane carrying the Carolina Panthers' players, coaches, and staff experienced a mishap on August 9, when it ran off the taxiway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport after returning from a preseason game against the New England Patriots. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 188 passengers on board. According to airport officials, the incident occurred as the aircraft was taxiing to Wilson Air Center shortly after landing at approximately 3 a.m. The airport confirmed that all airfield lighting and taxiway operations were functioning normally at the time. Delta Air Lines stated that the right main gear of flight 8860 exited the taxiway and became stuck in mud. The Panthers confirmed the incident, emphasizing that their chartered plane landed safely before veering off the taxiway. Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene, and passengers were safely deplaned and transported to the terminal via bus. The incident followed a night of record rainfall in Charlotte, which may have contributed to the conditions on the taxiway. In the preseason opener held on Thursday, the Panthers faced the Patriots, suffering a 17-3 defeat at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Panthers are scheduled to host the New York Jets for their second preseason game on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Charlotte.