Ice And Rain Didn't Cause Mishap, But Didn't Help Either

No one was injured early Thursday morning when a FedEx Airbus A300 (file photo of type, below) became mired in the mud at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Aero-News Senior Editor Pete Combs was on the scene as ground crews first offloaded the cargo, then shifted the fuel from the left wing to the right in order to lighten the load on the left main gear, which were rim-deep in the muck.

After more than an hour, the flight crew reboarded the aircraft and fired up the engines, gently nudging the widebodied Airbus back onto the tarmac.

Airport officials told ANN the aircraft had just arrived from Memphis, and was taxiing to parking along Taxiway Alfa. The aircraft was turning onto the tarmac when officials said the pilot cut it "a little too sharp," causing the left mains to slip off the taxiway.

Airport officials said the minor mishap was not caused by the foul weather that choked Charlotte streets and highways with ice. But, they added, it sure didn't help in the recovery effort.

FMI: www.fedex.com