Delta aircraft skids off icy runway, causing major airport closure during Thanksgiving weekend

Over the weekend, a plane slid off an icy runway while landing at Des Moines International Airport, leading to widespread flight cancellations and diversions. Endeavor Air Flight 5087, a Delta Air Lines subsidiary, veered off the runway while entering a taxiway amid severe winter weather.

The incident occurred at 9:30 PM local time on Saturday, 29 November, following a 90-minute flight from Detroit. Passengers could not disembark at the gate as usual and were instead guided down stairs and transported by bus to the terminal. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900, left the paved taxiway due to icy conditions, according to an airport spokesperson speaking to ABC7.

The airport confirmed on social media that a plane had "departed the runway," prompting temporary closure. Numerous flights scheduled to land or take off afterward were either canceled, delayed significantly, or diverted to nearby airports. FlightRadar data indicated some arrivals were delayed by more than 12 hours.

By mid-morning Sunday, 30 November, airport operations had resumed. In a statement, Delta said, Teams at Des Moines International Airport are working to ensure our customers are taken care of after Delta Connection Flight 5087 operated by Endeavor Air left the paved surface of the taxiway due to icy conditions. Safety is our top priority, and we apologize for the disruption.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened investigations into the event.

The winter storm that swept across Iowa over the weekend brought snow and strong winds, contributing to multiple road accidents. By Sunday morning, many highways remained snow- or ice-covered. Winter storm warnings had been issued for travelers, stretching from Montana to New York, with heavy snowfall affecting the Great Lakes region.

The weekend saw over 1,400 flight cancellations at major U.S. airports, alongside widespread delays that disrupted domestic travel plans. Delta Air Lines has been contacted for further comment.

Author: Sophia Brooks