A small plane made an emergency landing Friday afternoon at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, sending fire-rescue and airport operations crews racing to the runway but only lightly brushing normal flight schedules. Local video showed a cluster of emergency vehicles surrounding the aircraft as crews checked the scene and began planning how to move it.
According to WRAL, the plane came down around 2:40 p.m. and stopped on a secondary runway while RDU Fire Rescue and operations teams responded. The airport told the outlet that its main runway stayed open, with flights continuing to land and take off as crews worked around the disabled aircraft. RDU officials also reported no injuries.
How Airport Crews Clear a Blocked Runway
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a disabled aircraft on a runway is handled by the airport operator and treated as an obstruction until it is removed and the pavement is checked. That typically means bringing in tow crews, inspecting the runway for debris or damage, and coordinating with air traffic control so arrivals and departures are rerouted or spaced out as needed. Depending on how quickly the plane can be moved and inspections finished, a runway closure can last from a few minutes to several hours.
For Travelers
Travelers flying through RDU on Friday afternoon are advised to check directly with their airline for the latest gate and timing information and to be prepared for possible delays, even as most airport operations continued. Airport officials and local media are expected to share updates if the secondary runway stays closed or if an investigation is launched. Hoodline will update this story as officials release more information.
