Aircraft Overrun - Rochester, NY Airport 2/22/12
February 22, 2012 - Around 11:30pm, the Greater Rochester International Airport Fire Department was alerted via the crash phone of an aircraft with 45 passengers that had slid off the end of runway 4 after landing. Airport firefighters declared it a ground emergency, responded immediately and reported an aircraft past the runway threshold and into the overrun safety area. Communications with the pilot indicated there were no injuries on board and no indication of problems with the aircraft on the flight deck. Firefighters conducted a walk around of the aircraft to check for damage, while the incident commander made arrangements with airport operations for shuttle buses to be brought to the scene. Once the buses were at the scene, airport firefighters began evacuating passengers from the aircraft using a step ladder since this aircraft, an Embraer ERJ-145, has no stairs onboard like some similar aircraft. Engine 7 from the Rochester Fire Department was escorted to the scene and assisted in the evacuation of passengers. A towing company was called in to help recover the aircraft and pull it back onto the pavement.
At the time of the incident there was heavy snow falling throughout the area, though snow removal equipment had been working tirelessly to keep the runway clear and several other flights landed without incident. Because of this incident, three aircraft had to be diverted to other airports while crews worked to open the alternate runway. There were no injuries and no apparent damage to the aircraft. The Airport FD provided a stand by vehicle until the aircraft was removed at approximately 4:30am. The FAA was on scene investigating the cause of the overrun.
Read MoreAt the time of the incident there was heavy snow falling throughout the area, though snow removal equipment had been working tirelessly to keep the runway clear and several other flights landed without incident. Because of this incident, three aircraft had to be diverted to other airports while crews worked to open the alternate runway. There were no injuries and no apparent damage to the aircraft. The Airport FD provided a stand by vehicle until the aircraft was removed at approximately 4:30am. The FAA was on scene investigating the cause of the overrun.
