Pilot loses control of his jet as it veers off the runway and slides into grass during test run

The pilot of a civilian jet was left red-faced after he veered off a runway during a test run.

 

The jet, an Embraer E-175, was performing a high-speed taxi test with a crew of two at Kansas City International Airport when the pilot lost control and hurtled into a grassy area at the side of the runway.

Airport spokesman Joe McBride described Wednesday's incident on Twitter as a ‘mishap’.

He said: 'A Republic Airlines Embraer E175 veered off Kansas City International Airport Runway 19L at the end of a test high-speed taxi run. 
The two crew members on board were not injured and there was no apparent aircraft damage. The runway was closed for several hours, but the airport remained open through use of another runway.

The aircraft spent several hours on the grass while arrangements were made to have it towed to a hangar. 

 

Mr McBride added that the runway it was using was already closed for maintenance.

The plane was due to be used in a later service to Washington DC, so passengers were rebooked on another flight, Mr McBride said.