Reportedly Skidded Off The Runway After Landing Tuesday Night

Eight people were reportedly slightly injured Tuesday night when a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 went off the runway after landing at Nashville International Airport (KBNA).

In a statement, Southwest Airlines said that “At approximately 5:30 p.m. local time, Southwest Airlines flight 31 from Houston Hobby Airport to Nashville International Airport exited the taxiway shortly after arriving into Nashville, as the airplane was approaching the gate. The 133 passengers and five Crewmembers were safely transported into the airport, and we are currently working to support their needs. The Safety of our Customers and Employees remains our primary focus.”

The airline said that Nashville was the final destination for most of the passengers, but those who were continuing on to Jacksonville, FL, "were accommodated in hotels or transported to their final destination on an alternate aircraft. We received the required clearance from authorities to remove both checked and carryon luggage from the aircraft, and are working diligently to reunite customers with their items tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday)."

Airport authorities said that they responded to a "ground emergency" at about 5:20 p.m. CST adjacent to Taxiway Tango 4 involving Southwest Flight 31.

"Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority emergency personnel responded to the ground emergency immediately. In addition, mutual aid partners from Metro Fire and Metro Emergency Management Services (EMS) responded," the airport said in a statement. The incident did not lead to any runway closures or other delays, according to the airport statement.

Passengers reported a normal landing until, as Marina Kaplan of Jacksonville, FL told television station WKRN, "there was this really powerful shuddering, grating, grinding noise like I'll never forget. Then the plane started slipping and felt like it was slipping into a ditch."

Passengers were deplaned using stairs and emergency slides and bused to the terminal. Those who reported injuries were taken to a nearby hospital where all were treated and released.

According to the report, it appeared that either one of the plane's landing gear had collapsed or a tire had failed.

(Image from David Sylvester via Twitter)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.southwest.com