NEW YORK (AP) — Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence’s campaign plane slid off the runway during a rainstorm at New York’s LaGuardia Airport Thursday, tearing up two tracks of concrete before coming to rest on a patch of grass.
Pence told reporters that no one had been injured.
“We can see mud on the front windows,” a calm Pence said in the press cabin about a minute after the plane came to rest. He said he felt fine.
So thankful everyone on our plane is safe. Grateful for our first responders & the concern & prayers of so many. Back on the trail tomorrow!
— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) October 28, 2016
After a bumpy approach, the plane roughly landed and slammed into the ground, making first contact with the runway concrete. The pilot slammed on the brakes and passengers could smell burning rubber.
The roughly 40 passengers and crew, including Pence, were evacuated through the back of the plane.
Campaign spokesman Marc Loetter told reporters that Pence had missed his fundraiser in New York City and was headed to his hotel for the night.
After plane came to a stop – Pence went back to check on the journalists to see that they were safe. #class
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) October 28, 2016
.@dangallo, on board @mike_pence plane: “This [landing] felt like we were being pulled to the side…it didn’t feel right.” pic.twitter.com/P6FnayKZR4
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 28, 2016
Gov. Pence’s plane slides off the runway at NYC airport https://t.co/eiuASQHpw6 pic.twitter.com/NXUoVFvcTi
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) October 28, 2016
