Exceedingly High Temps Softened Asphalt Tarmac

A US Airways flight leaving the gate at Reagan National Airport last Friday bound for Charleston, SC, gave a whole new meaning to the idea of getting stuck at the airport.  It seems the string of 100 plus degree days in the nation’s capital, part of a blistering nationwide heat wave, was enough to cause a soft spot in the tarmac pavement into which the airplane sunk and became immobilized – stuck!

Airline spokeswoman Michele Mohr told The Washington Post that it is rare for a jetliner to get stuck and noted, “we’ve also had very unusual temperatures.”

An airport tug, those bullish looking little carts that move planes around, showed up but couldn’t move the plane so the 35 passengers were deplaned from the 50-seat regional jet. A second, larger tow vehicle was called and the passengers got back on. The second tug was able to move the aircraft to an area where it could start its engines and taxi under its own power. After a delay of almost 3 hours – thanks to Mother Nature – everyone was safely on their way to Charleston, SC.

FMI: usairways.com