Jet Stuck in Mud at Mississippi Airport

Aug. 11, 2006
The Delta Airlines jet was diverted to Jackson because of bad weather in the Atlanta area.

A jetliner strayed off the runway Thursday night at an airport and got stuck in the mud, stranding more than 200 passengers for hours, authorities said.

The Delta Airlines jet, bound for Atlanta from San Francisco, was diverted to Jackson because of bad weather in the Atlanta area, an airport official said.

After refueling, pilots edged off the runway at Jackson-Evers International Airport and the plane became stuck.

Dirk Vanderleest, airport chief executive officer, said none of the 223 passengers were injured.

He said Delta was sending another passenger jet to pick up those stranded in Jackson. The second plane was due around midnight.

The jet stuck in the mud won't be moved until daylight.

"It's going to be sometime tomorrow because it's stuck in there pretty good," Vanderleest said.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.