A plane skidded on the runway at Harry Reid International Airport on Sunday morning, prompting a couple touring a nearby timeshare to hear what they described as gunshot sounds. "We heard the gunshot sounds, and I tried to hit the deck and start praying. I didn't know what was going on," Jacqui Jackson said.
Jeff and Jacqui Jackson, visiting Las Vegas from Atlanta for Jacqui's birthday and to see Wahlberg and New Kids On The Block perform at Park MGM, were near Tropicana Avenue and Paradise Road at about 10:50 a.m. when the incident occurred. Jeff recalled the aircraft's rapid turn, saying, "They were still going pretty fast when they reached the end of the runway," and "When they made that turn, I was really surprised at how quickly the airplane was able to turn without turning up on its side."
The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 50, was carrying singer‑actor Donnie Wahlberg. In an Instagram video, Wahlberg explained, “We were taking off and didn’t get up in the air and ran out of runway.” He added, “I’m just going to tell you these pilots saved our lives. And God covered us.” The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed eight people were on board when the pilot aborted the takeoff and the plane left the runway, and no injuries were reported.
Audio from the airport tower captured the pilot shouting, "Aborting! Aborting!" and a controller responding, "We got the emergency vehicles on the way now." The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the incident.
Sources: 8 News Now
Original reporting: 8 News Now →
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