Aircraft slides off icy runway due to snow causing travel chaos after Thanksgiving

A widespread winter storm sweeping across Colorado and the Midwest has disrupted travel, causing hundreds of flight cancellations and numerous vehicle accidents, including a massive 45-car pileup on an Indiana interstate during the busy post-Thanksgiving travel period.

Flight tracking service FlightAware reported that more than 1,400 flights were canceled nationwide on Saturday, primarily due to severe weather affecting the upper Midwest.

Delta Flight Incident in Des Moines

In a frightening situation for air travelers, a Delta Connection flight carrying 54 passengers and four crew members slid off an icy runway at Des Moines International Airport late Friday night. The flight, operated by Endeavor Air and arriving from Detroit, left the paved surface of the taxiway upon landing due to icy conditions. No injuries were reported, and passengers were safely evacuated to the terminal via buses. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the incident.

Airports Struggle with Winter Delays

Chicago O'Hare International Airport experienced the most disruption, with over 930 cancellations and more than 750 delays as of Saturday afternoon. Departures faced an average delay of five hours due to snow and ice. Chicago Midway International Airport recorded 187 cancellations and 85 delays. Both airports implemented temporary ground stops as a precaution.

Highway Crashes in Indiana and Colorado

In Putnamville, Indiana, a 45-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 temporarily blocked the highway. State authorities reported no major injuries. On Sunday, Colorado authorities responded to two separate chain-reaction accidents on Interstate 70. The first involved over 20 vehicles east of Glenwood Springs, while the second, west of Gypsum in Eagle County, involved around 30 vehicles. Icy roads and limited visibility were cited as contributing factors.

Ongoing Winter Conditions

The storm is expected to move into the Great Lakes region Saturday night, with more than half a foot of snow possible across central Iowa, southern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Indiana, and Western Michigan. Whiteout conditions and hazardous travel are forecast through Saturday and into Sunday morning. Following the storm, temperatures in the Northern U.S. will drop 10 to 20 degrees below normal for early December, with another winter storm expected next week.

Author: Sophia Brooks