Carolina Panthers' Delta Flight Slide-Off: No Injuries After 17-3 Preseason Loss to Patriots

The Carolina Panthers' 2024 preseason began with a setback, as they suffered a 17-3 defeat against the New England Patriots. However, their challenges didn't end there, as a Delta Airlines flight carrying both coaches and players faced a rough situation upon their return to Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Friday.

Incident at Charlotte Douglas International Airport

According to the report by WIS News 10, the Delta flight carrying the Panthers' charter slid off the taxiway upon landing, prompting a swift response from emergency services. The aircraft landed on the runway closest to Billy Graham Parkway at approximately 2:40 a.m. on Friday. Emergency vehicles were dispatched to the scene, and it took around an hour for passengers to disembark from the plane as stairs were towed to the taxiway for them to exit.

Confirmation and Delta Airlines' response

The Panthers later confirmed that their charter plane was involved in the incident, assuring that everyone onboard was safe. Delta Airlines revealed that the flight had 188 passengers onboard when the right main gear exited the taxiway. Passengers were subsequently transported to the Charlotte airport terminal by bus.

The incident occurred amidst heavy rains, with flood and tornado watches in place along the East Coast, which is still recovering from the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby. These adverse weather conditions coincided with the Panthers' preseason opener, where they faced rainfall while resting most of their key players against the Patriots.