Thursday, April 3, 2014

Delta Air Lines MD-88 over-runs Rwy at JFK

A Delta Air Lines McDonnell Douglas MD-88 (53344/1943) N992DL made an emergency landing at New York JFK International Airport (JFK/KJFK) and wound up in a grassy area after an indication of a problem with the aircraft’s hydraulic system.

There were no injuries to the 123 passengers and crew aboard and no damage to the aircraft, Delta spokesperson Leslie Scott said. The MD-88 was en route from Atlanta (ATL/KATL) to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA/KLGA) on Wednesday night when, during descent, there was an indication in the cockpit of a possible hydraulic system malfunction, according to Delta. The aircraft was diverted to JFK because that airport has longer runways better able to handle an aircraft landing with a potential braking problem.

Scott said the aircraft landed without issue at JFK. But television news images showed the MD-88 at rest in a grassy area at JFK. Scott said the aircraft started taxiing to the gate after it had come to stop at the end of the runway and then rolled onto the grassy area.

It is “unclear at this point” why the MD-88 rolled into the grass, Scott said, adding, “Maintenance will take a look and determine a probable cause.” She said the passengers “deplaned through the aft stairs” onto the grassy area and were safely taken by bus to a JFK terminal.

The passengers were eventually transported by bus to LGA. FAA said it is investigating the incident.

(Aaron Karp - ATW Online News)

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