Summary
- Snowy conditions within the Northeast caused an American Eagle aircraft to slip off the runway at Rochester Airport. Thankfully, all passengers were unharmed.
- The aircraft involved within the incident was an 18-year-old Embraer ERJ145 operated by Piedmont Airlines. It landed safely but slid off the taxiway resulting from snowy conditions.
- This just isn’t the primary incident involving American Eagle aircraft. Prior to now, there have been issues with pressurization and a collision with a shuttle bus at O’Hare Airport.
On Thursday, January 18, an aircraft landing at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) slid off the runway. The aircraft, which was an Embraer ERJ145, exited the runway resulting from icy and snowy conditions. All the passengers aboard the aircraft were in a position to deplane safely, and no injuries were reported.
Snowy conditions
The Northeastern United States has been affected by heavy snow and winter storm conditions starting on January 17. This inclement weather affected many airports across the Northeast, including the Rochester airport. The region can be affected by more snowy conditions later this weekend. Nevertheless, the recent weather affected airport operations at Rochester Airport.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy Flying.
The aircraft most affected was an American Eagle Embraer E145 operated by Piedmont Airlines. The aircraft, which was registered as N922AE, slid off the Rochester runway shortly after landing on January 18. N922AE is an 18-year-old aircraft that was first delivered to Envoy Air in April 2005. The aircraft was operating service AA-5811, which connects Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Rochester International Airport (ROC). The flight is usually scheduled to depart Philadelphia at 14:40 local time and arrive in Rochester just after 16:00 local time. The aircraft departed Philadelphia barely late on January 18, leaving the airport at 14:54 local time. Nevertheless, N922AE landed on time at 15:49.
The aircraft landed safely on the runway initially. Nevertheless, the ERJ145 slid off the taxiway after which veered onto the grass. This was resulting from the snowy conditions that remained on the Rochester airport. Fifty passengers and three crew members were aboard the aircraft. Nevertheless, all of the people on the aircraft deplaned safely. No injuries were reported, and the passengers were transported to the terminal by bus.
In a press release, American Airlines, which is the parent company of American Eagle, stated
“After landing safely in Rochester (ROC), American Eagle flight 5811, operated by Piedmont Airlines with service from Philadelphia (PHL) to ROC, exited the taxiway while in transit to the terminal resulting from snowy airfield conditions. Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for his or her experience. Everyone onboard deplaned safely and was transported to the terminal by bus.”
The aircraft, once recovered from the taxiway, can be taken out of service by American Eagle for a whole inspection. To get well the aircraft, airport authorities will tow the airplane off the taxiway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can be investigating the incident, as no official cause has been released.
Other American Eagle incidents
Several other incidents have occurred involving American Eagle aircraft previously several months. In August of last yr, an American Eagle ERJ145 experienced a difficulty midflight. The aircraft descended 15,000 feet in only three months after the flight crew registered a pressurization issue. The plane descended from 29,900 feet to 10,050 feet, where the aircraft remained until it began its descent to land.
In October, an American Eagle CRJ200 collided with a shuttle bus while taxiing at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Two people reported minor injuries, and the aircraft was taken out of service, because the collision ripped off the aircraft’s nose. A substitute plane was sent to proceed transporting the passengers.