One Runway Excursion, One Minor Collision Between Two Allegiant Jets

The FAA is looking into two incidents involving Allegiant Air jetliners which occurred over the past week at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (KVPS) in Florida.

On July 5, an Allegiant Airbus A320 arriving from Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey landed on Runway 19 at KVPS and briefly exited the side of the runway. It returned to the pavement and taxied to the gate, where the passengers exited without incident.

On July 9, an Allegiant A320 arriving from Springfield, MO was pulling into its assigned gate when it "made contact" with an Allegiant A320 parked at a nearby gate, according to the Northwest Florida Daily News.

There were no passengers onboard the parked aircraft, according to the report. An FAA spokesman said it was unclear how many people were aboard the parking aircraft. No injuries were reported from the incident.

Okaloosa County Airports Director Tracey Stage said he was unaware of the runway excursion. He said the other incident occurred when the arriving aircraft executed a 180-degree turn to pull into the gate.

Allegiant said through a spokesman that all pilots involved have been removed from active duty while the incidents are investigated.

(Image from file. Not incident aircraft)

FMI: Original report