On January 2nd, a Russian passenger plane slid off the runway while taxiing after landing at an airport. There were 79 passengers on board at the time, fortunately without any casualties.
According to the global travel news website Travel and Tour World, the incident occurred at around 8 a.m. local time on January 2nd. An Airbus A321 aircraft of Siberian Airlines slid off the runway while taxiing at Alykel International Airport in Norilsk.
The aircraft had taken off from Moscow. Norilsk is located in Siberia, inside the Arctic Circle, more than 2,800 kilometers (1,740 miles) away from Moscow.
The West Siberian Transport Prosecutor’s Office confirmed through Telegram that the plane slid off the runway while turning onto the taxiway. As a precautionary measure, the aircraft has been temporarily grounded pending an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
Local authorities stated that the airport promptly activated emergency protocols to ensure the safety of all personnel involved. A standby aircraft was also assigned to complete the journey back to Moscow.
The West Siberian Transport Prosecutor’s Office is currently investigating the cause of the accident and has not disclosed whether the aircraft sustained damage or the preliminary results of the investigation.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by aviation safety in extreme climates like Siberia. Experts point out that the cold weather, strong winds, and operational difficulties can pose significant risks to aircraft during landing and taxiing operations.