Flights Remain Grounded at Des Moines Airport After Delta Aircraft Slides Off Runway

by Anthony Losanno
DSM Delta

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Operations at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) remain suspended after a Delta Air Lines Bombardier CRJ-900 (operated by Endeavor Air) slid off the runway on Saturday night during the major winter storm. The incident occurred around 10:00 PM, when an arriving flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) lost traction on the snow-covered pavement. All passengers were safely transported back to the terminal and no injuries were reported.

The slip occurred as the powerful snowstorm left roughly 10 inches of snow across the city and as much as 15 inches in surrounding areas. The storm produced the heaviest two-day snowfall the region has seen since early January 2024. Airport officials said conditions on the runway were challenging at the time the aircraft landed.

The aircraft came to rest on the pavement and did not sustain significant visible damage. According to airport officials, it will be moved only after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) completes its initial assessment and formally releases the aircraft. Des Moines International Airport (DSM) closed shortly after the incident and has remained shut through this morning as crews work to clear snow, assess runway conditions, and accommodate the NTSB review. All inbound and outbound flights were either delayed or canceled so far today.

The earliest scheduled flight listed as on time is United Airlines flight UA 3505, departing for Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) at 1:05 PM, though officials caution that evolving airfield conditions may still affect planned operations. Airport leadership expects reopening by early afternoon, pending snow removal progress and final safety checks. Airlines have begun adjusting schedules and preparing to resume service once the airfield is cleared for operations.

Anthony’s Take: While the runway excursion disrupted weekend travel plans, the safe evacuation of passengers and swift response from emergency crews ensured the situation remained contained. With winter weather still active in the region and across the midwest. travelers are encouraged to check their flight status frequently and plan for potential delays as cleanup efforts continue.

(Featured Image Credit: @AeroCrewNews and @IowannaStorm via X.)

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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.

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