Delta Flight Slides Off Runway Amid Winter Travel Chaos

As millions navigated post-Thanksgiving travel, a winter storm wreaked havoc on air travel nationwide, with Delta Airlines at the center of major disruptions. In a dramatic incident at Des Moines International Airport, a Delta Connection flight skidded off an icy runway, leading to airport closures and hundreds of cancellations across the Midwest. This weather event underscores the challenges of winter travel and the critical role of airport safety protocols.

Des Moines Airport Incident: A Close Call

Saturday night, November 29th, took a terrifying turn for passengers aboard Delta Connection Flight 5087. The Bombardier CRJ-900, operating from Detroit, slid off the runway while landing during a post-Thanksgiving winter storm. According to airport spokesperson Sarah Hoodjer, the aircraft "left the paved surface of the taxiway due to icy conditions." Miraculously, all 54 passengers and four crew members escaped without injuries, deplaning onto buses for transport to the terminal. The airport remained closed until approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the incident.

Travelers wait at Chicago O'Hare, where over 930 flights were canceled due to snow. - Image from https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.Y_739Kfj19WZUwHGUE1cGwHaEG?pid=Api

Nationwide Cancellations: Snow Snarls the Skies

The Des Moines incident was part of a larger weather pattern crippling air travel. FlightAware reported over 1,400 U.S. flight cancellations on Saturday alone, with Delta and its partners significantly impacted. Chicago O'Hare International Airport bore the brunt, with more than 930 cancellations and 750 delays by Saturday afternoon. Flights in and out of O'Hare faced average delays of five hours due to snow and ice, forcing the FAA to issue ground stops at both O'Hare and Midway airports.

Winter Weather's Far-Reaching Effects

The storm dumped heavy snow across Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, with accumulations exceeding six feet in some areas. Beyond airport closures, treacherous conditions caused multiple highway pileups:

Indiana: A 45-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 near Putnamville closed the highway.
Colorado: Two separate pileups on Interstate 70—one involving 20 vehicles near Glenwood Springs and another with 30 vehicles near Gypsum—were attributed to icy roads and low visibility.

No major injuries were reported in these incidents, but they highlighted the broader dangers of winter travel.

A 45-vehicle pileup on Indiana's Interstate 70 was linked to hazardous winter conditions. - Image from https://duckduckgo.com/?origin=funnel_home_website&t=h_&q=Emergency+workers+at+scene+of+multi-vehicle+pileup+n+snowy+Interstate+70+in+Indiana&ia=images&iax=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fa57.foxnews.com%2Fstatic.foxnews.com%2Ffoxnews.com%2Fcontent%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F09%2F640%2F320%2FInterstate-70-Pileup_Angu.jpg%3Fve%3D1%26tl%3D1

Traveler Safety and Preparedness

As forecasts predict continued cold blasts and additional storms, airlines and airports are urging travelers to prioritize safety:

"Whiteout conditions and dangerous travel are likely through Sunday morning," warned meteorologists, advising travelers to monitor flight status updates before heading to airports.

Delta and other carriers have implemented flexible rebooking policies for affected passengers. Travelers are encouraged to check airline apps for real-time updates, pack essentials in carry-on bags, and allow extra travel time.

What Happens Next?

The NTSB investigation into the Des Moines runway incident will likely focus on de-icing procedures and runway maintenance. Meanwhile, airlines are working to recover schedules as the storm moves toward the Great Lakes. Travelers should brace for potential ripple effects into early December, as another winter storm is forecast for next week.