Minnesota Vikings trip to Green Bay off to a slippery start
By Adam Carlson
The Minnesota Vikings plane couldn’t make a proper landing in Wisconsin, sliding off the taxiway at Appleton International Airport on December 23, 2016.
It seems as though things are already going wrong for the Minnesota Vikings. On their way to their game in Green Bay, Wisconsin, their airplane had some issues that left the team stranded for a little while.
As reported on Wisconsin’s FOX 11 News website, the team airplane came in for a landing and was met with some slippery conditions, causing the plane to slide off the taxiway and become stuck.
FOX News says the plane slide happened at approximately 5:30 p.m. central time at Appleton International Airport Friday according to the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, delaying the team’s exit.
The team confirmed the incident involving the ice and snow on their official Twitter account as well:
While taxiing after a safe landing, the team plane slid off the runway and became stuck. We are waiting patiently to exit the plane.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 24, 2016
There were no other injuries or complications from the incident reported, however losing control of an airplane and sliding into a bank of snow can be a scary experience. Thankfully, it is just some time that was lost exiting the plane.
KSTP-TV Sports and 1500ESPN’s Chris Long spoke with Vikings defensive back Anthony Harris and got some details on the incident.
#Vikings DB Anthony Harris says team plane slid off Appleton runway, went into grass, tire sank into grass. Team currently stuck on plane.
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) December 24, 2016
Previously, the Minnesota Vikings Twitter account shared a photo from the team getting off the bus and boarding the plane in Minnesota with smiles on their faces for the short flight.
Off to Wisconsin. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/ncbzcF8rvS
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 23, 2016
Hopefully, the Vikings week 16 game will go much smoother. They will need to defeat the Green Bay Packers in order to have a chance of keeping their playoff hopes alive, as they will need to win the rest of their games and get a little help to get a Wild Card spot.
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reports that the team has been in the plane for over 3 hours and are still waiting to exit safely.
#Vikings official said team plane skidded off runaway a little after 5 and they're still waiting to get off the plane So been around 3 hours
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 24, 2016
Next: Week 16 injury report: Vikings at Packers
Minnesota Vikings fans had better keep their fingers crossed that the football field at Lambeau Field doesn’t have the same kind of icy reception for the team when they play on Saturday, December 24, 2016.