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Panthers charter flight veers off runway and gets stuck in mud after landing safely at Charlotte Airport


Panthers charter flight veers off runway and gets stuck in mud after landing safely at Charlotte Airport

The Carolina Panthers had an eventful night that continued after their season opener against the New England Patriots.

Panthers players, coaches and staff were aboard a Delta Airlines plane that veered off the runway and became stuck in the mud on its way to the gate at Charlotte Douglas International Airport early Friday morning.

“The team can confirm that their chartered team aircraft did indeed veer off the runway and land in the mud after safely landing,” a team spokesperson said in a statement to NFL.com. “The team can also confirm that no injuries were reported and one person was injured.”

The Panthers were returning from a 17-3 preseason loss at New England, the first game under new coach Dave Canales. After the plane veered off the runway and became stuck in the mud, players and staff were forced to disembark and ride buses to the terminal.

“The aircraft, Delta Flight 8860, landed on runway 36R, closest to Billy Graham Parkway, at approximately 2:35 a.m. before leaving the runway and falling into the mud,” the airline said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Tropical Storm Debby caused record rainfall in Charlotte the day before, the National Weather Service reported. 10.5 cm of rain fell at the airport. It is unclear what role the storm played in the plane coming off the runway.

The Panthers have Friday off before resuming training on Saturday.

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