An airplane carrying Donald Trump’s running mate Gov. Mike Pence skid off the runway at LaGuardia Airport in Queens on Thursday night.
A passenger on the plane recalled turbulence on the descent, but officials said nothing out of the ordinary was reported by the pilots. The plane slid off the runway as it landed and came to rest against the perimeter fence as passengers, including Pence, were evacuated from the rear of the plane. The FAA and FDNY responded to the scene, according to reports. No injuries have been reported.
Mike Pence’s plane skids off runway at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, prompting airport’s closure. https://t.co/yPmFoNGUri pic.twitter.com/leHYILF0Q3
— ABC News (@ABC) October 28, 2016
Emergency crew on site. The governor stood up and made sure everyone was okay. https://t.co/rFHIVM0K9Q
— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) October 27, 2016
.@CNN‘s @ElizLanders was on aircraft w @mike_pence: “Plane was not in control on the runway”https://t.co/umQYu6C1cE https://t.co/DdmdpTARO4
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) October 28, 2016
@InesdLC glad you’re safe!
— ? (@adhikun) October 28, 2016
— Ines de La Cuetara (@InesdLC) October 28, 2016
Unbelievable photo of runway damage at LaGuardia Airport, where @mike_pence campaign plane skidded into the grass, via @elizlanders pic.twitter.com/AlR3wO1YON
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) October 28, 2016
#mikepence #Trump vp candidates plane slides off the runway at #laguardia no injuries reported pic.twitter.com/63jUiwof5H
— Eric Anderson (@Skipfliggins) October 28, 2016
“Governor Pence and everyone on board the plane is fine,” a Pence spokesman said,ABC reported. “Thankfully some great work by the Port Authority and all the airport authorities, the dedicated flight attendants, there were no injuries. The governor is obviously heading to end the evening and he’ll be back out on the campaign trail tomorrow.” Initially the airport was closed, but a Notify NYC alert was sent out at 9:12 p.m. that said: “Following an earlier incident, limited air traffic has resumed at LaGuardia Airport. Expect residual delays. To see if your flight is affected, check with your airline for updated flight information.”
✈️ Traffic Alert: @LGAairport resumed departures/arrivals on Runway 13. Ground stop cancelled. Runway 22 closed. Expect delays to continue.
— The FAA (@FAANews) October 28, 2016
#LGA has one runway open for arriving and departing flights. Please call your airline to check the status of your flight. [34]
— EWR JFK LGA SWF (@NY_NJairports) October 28, 2016
A WOR710 reportertweeted: “#MikePence’s plane is a Boeing 737-700, tail number N278EA. The aircraft is new and entered service last year. #LGA” Pence’s plane was arriving from Iowa when it overshot the runway,NBC4 reported.Port Authority officials described the impact as rough and said that as the pilot slammed on the brakes, travelers could smell burning rubber. Pence said mud splashed on the front windows of the cockpit, NBC4 reported.
Campaign spokesman Marc Loetter told reporters the governor missed his fundraiser in New York City and has headed back to the hotel for the evening, NBC4 reported.
Pence was scheduled to appear on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Friday.
As of press, Republican nominee Donald Trump has not tweeted about Pence’s ordeal nor has he mentioned it publically; however,Fox News tweetedthat Trump did reach out to Pence after the accident.
A ground hold at Laguardia led to some football on the tarmac in Iowa. #GameOn pic.twitter.com/Xo89ozpQyB
— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) October 27, 2016
So thankful everyone on our plane is safe. Grateful for our first responders & the concern & prayers of so many. Back on the trail tomorrow!
— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) October 28, 2016
This is a breaking news story which will be updated as details emerge.