Delta Plane Slides Off Runway, Shuts Des Moines Airport
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A Delta Air Lines regional jet veered off the runway at Des Moines International Airport amid a winter storm, triggering an immediate closure of the facility and stranding hundreds of travelers. The incident unfolded during landing operations, with the aircraft coming to rest on adjacent pavement without breaching the perimeter fence. Airport officials confirmed no injuries occurred, but the disruption halted all incoming and outgoing flights indefinitely.
The affected flight, Delta Connection 5087 operated by Endeavor Air, originated from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport with 61 passengers and four crew members aboard. The Bombardier CRJ-900LR model encountered slick conditions from a post-Thanksgiving snow event that deposited several inches of accumulation across central Iowa. Ground crews responded swiftly to secure the scene, while passengers remained on board initially before disembarking via buses to the terminal.
Des Moines International Airport, which handles over 2.5 million passengers annually, activated its emergency response protocols under the oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration. The runway, designated 31/13 and measuring 9,800 feet in length, sustained no structural damage, but recovery efforts required coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board for preliminary assessment. Officials estimated the aircraft’s repositioning could extend into the morning hours, pending clearance.
Sarah Hoodjer, the airport’s director of communications, issued a statement detailing the safe evacuation process. “A Delta Air Lines aircraft slid off the runway while landing,” she said. “All passengers are safe and are currently deplaning onto buses for transport to the terminal. There are no reported injuries.” Delta Air Lines echoed the update, committing to rebooking affected travelers on subsequent flights once operations normalized.
This event marks the latest in a series of weather-related aviation disruptions across the Midwest, where similar storms have grounded more than 1,200 flights nationwide in the past 24 hours. The National Weather Service issued warnings for low visibility and icing hazards in the region, advising motorists and air traffic controllers alike to exercise caution. Des Moines authorities deployed additional snow removal equipment to adjacent runways, though full reopening depends on meteorological improvements.
Travelers with connections through Des Moines faced cascading delays rippling to hubs like Minneapolis and Chicago, where Delta maintains major presences. The airline’s operations control center rerouted select flights to alternate airports including Kansas City International and Quad City International, absorbing an estimated 200 passengers from the grounded service. Baggage handling teams prioritized reuniting luggage with owners amid the logistical scramble.
Broader implications for regional air travel underscore the vulnerability of mid-sized airports to seasonal weather patterns. Des Moines, serving as a key node for business routes to Denver and Dallas, typically operates 50 daily departures. The closure prompted temporary diversions for two inbound flights, including a United Express service from Chicago O’Hare, further compounding delays. Federal guidelines mandate a thorough runway inspection post-incident to ensure surface integrity before resuming commercial activity.
As recovery unfolds, aviation experts anticipate minimal long-term impact on Delta’s network reliability, given the carrier’s 85 percent on-time performance metric for the quarter. However, the episode highlights ongoing investments in de-icing technologies at secondary airports. Enhanced propylene glycol mixtures and heated taxiways, implemented since 2023, aim to mitigate such slips, though extreme conditions remain unpredictable. Passengers received standard compensation offers under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, including meal vouchers and hotel accommodations for overnight stays.
