After Carolina Panthers’ Flight Slides Off Runway, Investigators Say Landing Gear Is To Blame

Moments after landing at Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, a Delta flight carrying players and members of the Carolina Panthers slid off the taxiway at 2:35 a.m. Friday morning. Emergency crews awaited the plane after it went into the mud after sliding off the runway. The flight departed Providence’s T.F. Green International Airport around midnight after the Panthers’ preseason game against the Patriots – the Patriots won 17-3.

“The team can confirm that their chartered team plane, after landing safely, did run off the taxiway and into the mud. The team can also confirm that no injuries were reported,” the Panthers wrote in a statement.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m., the plane was towed out of the movement area while crews repaired the zone and reponed the taxiway an hour later.

“The right main gear of Delta 8860 exited the taxiway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport following a normal arrival,” Delta said in their statement. “No injuries were reported by the 188 customers who are deplaning and being bused to the terminal. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

Investigators reported that the landing gear broke apart despite a smooth landing.

Carolina is looking to improve on their abysmal 2-15 record from 2023, and they will begin their season on September 8 in New Orleans against the Saints. The Patriots didn’t fare much better last season as they finished 4-13 – they will open 2024 with a matchup versus the Bengals in Cincinatti.