Pilots Escape Serious Injury In Early AM Incident

Two pilots were hospitalized but reported safe after their ATR-42 turboprop aircraft landed short of runway 17R Tuesday morning at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB) in west Texas.

CNN reports the aircraft -- operated by Empire Airways, a cargo feeder carrier for FedEx -- came down short of the runway at 4:37 am CST Tuesday. The aircraft then apparently bounced, impacted the runway surface and then skidded off the side of the pavement.

The aircraft came to rest on the grass separating the runway from the taxiway, leaning on its right wing. A small fire broke out but was quickly contained, airport officials said.

Freezing rain was in the area at the time of the accident, and there are reports the aircraft was landing with a fairly strong tailwind of around 20 knots. There has been no comment from Empire or FedEx about what might have led to the accidents

KCDB-11 in Lubbock reports one of the pilots, a 52 year-old male from Portland, OR, remains hospitalized in satisfactory condition. A 26 year-old woman from Tacoma, WA was treated and released.

The flight was inbound to LBB from Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW). Subsequent FedEx cargo flights to the area were rerouted to Albuquerque, NM, where Empire flies regional freight using Cessna C208B Super Cargomasters.

FMI: www.empireairlines.com