Ground Stop at San Diego International Due to Cessna Citation X Incident
San Diego International Airport faced a temporary suspension of flight operations on Wednesday evening following an incident involving a private jet. The event unfolded when the front landing gear of a Cessna Citation X collapsed during landing at approximately 6 PM.
Details of the Incident
The incident was reported around 7:18 PM when the private aircraft encountered landing gear difficulties while attempting to take off. Fortunately, the jet came to a halt on the runway without any injuries to the passengers or crew onboard. However, the aircraft’s position led to a complete shutdown of the runway.
Impact on Airport Operations
- All inbound and outbound flights were temporarily halted.
- Inbound planes were redirected to other airports.
- Outbound flights could not depart.
Efforts by emergency crews led to significant delays and diversions, affecting over 100 flights. The runway remained unusable until around 9:23 PM when it was finally cleared and reopened, allowing normal airport operations to resume.
Official Statement
According to Jonathan Heller, the airport spokesperson, the closure was necessary to ensure safety and the swift response of emergency teams was crucial in managing the situation.
