Key Points:
- Jet’s nose gear failed at takeoff, blocking San Diego’s only runway.
- Nearly 100 flights disrupted; passengers faced long delays.
- Recovery stretched into night; investigation underway.
Air travel in and out of San Diego faced major disruption on Wednesday evening after a private jet suffered a landing gear failure during takeoff at San Diego International Airport. The small Cessna 750 Citation experienced a nose gear collapse just as it attempted to lift off, forcing the aircraft to remain stranded on the runway.
The incident occurred shortly after 6:00 p.m., prompting airport authorities to halt all inbound flights immediately. Emergency crews rushed to the scene and secured the disabled plane. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew, but the stranded aircraft rendered the airport’s only runway unusable, creating a domino effect of flight diversions and cancellations.
Travel Disruptions for Hundreds of Passengers
The grounding of the runway quickly cascaded into widespread travel disruptions. Dozens of arriving flights were diverted to neighboring airports, while many departing flights were either delayed or canceled. By early evening, nearly 100 flights had been affected.
Travelers inside the terminal faced mounting uncertainty, with the San Diego International airport’s flight status page briefly going offline due to high demand. Long lines built up as passengers scrambled for updates, rebookings, or alternate travel arrangements. Some travelers reported waiting for hours with little clarity on when operations would resume.
The Federal Aviation Administration initially placed a ground stop through 8:00 p.m., but as efforts to clear the runway continued, the closure was extended into the night. At one point, the suspension of flights was projected to last until midnight, effectively pushing most operations into the following morning.
Recovery Efforts and Aftermath
Emergency teams worked for several hours to stabilize and tow the disabled aircraft off the runway. By around 9:00 p.m., heavy equipment was brought in to remove the Cessna, but uncertainty remained over how soon the runway could reopen. The affected jet, registered to Raleigh, North Carolina, sustained visible damage to its nose landing gear, though the extent of the mechanical failure has not yet been released.
Passengers whose flights were canceled were advised to check directly with their airlines for rescheduling and re-routing options. For many, the unexpected delays caused missed connections and extended travel times, underscoring how a single runway incident can ripple across an entire air travel network.
Though no injuries occurred, the event highlighted the vulnerability of San Diego International airports with limited runway capacity and the significant impact of even minor mechanical issues on large-scale operations. Investigators are expected to review what caused the landing gear collapse as airport officials work to restore full normalcy.
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