Donnie Wahlberg Praises Pilots

USPA NEWS - SOURCE: Donnie Wahlberg Instagram video, People Magazine, and Getty images.
Donnie Wahlberg speaks out after private jet skidded off Las Vegas airport main runway and slammed into fence.

Donnie Wahlberg was on board a private jet that skidded off the runway at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport on October 18th. “It was a rather intense few moments,” Wahlberg said, addressing the incident on Instagram hours after the incident. “The airplane did take some lumps, but we did not.” The plane, a Dassault Falcon 50 bound for Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada, had eight people on board when the pilot aborted a takeoff and went off the runway, per the FAA.

Addressing the incident on Instagram hours later, Wahlberg said in a video, “We were taking off and didn’t get up in the air and ran out of runway. I’m just going to tell you these pilots saved our lives. And God covered us... We just finished praying, and I looked out the window and said, we are not getting up in the air today. But we’re safe and thankful and all is well.”

He confirmed that the aircraft went off the runway into a fence, but said it was able to avoid “heavy” airport vehicles and equipment.

In Wahlberg’s caption, the actor said he’d first sent the video to family and friends to let them know he was okay, but explained, “so many of you all are my family too so I figured I’d share with you.”

“It was me and my team/friends onboard the aircraft. It was a rather intense few moments,” he wrote. “Thankful to God, of course, and to our incredible pilots who did an amazing job of keeping us safe and avoiding a serious disaster." He added, “Thank you to all the emergency personnel on the ground in Las Vegas! You all were absolutely wonderful."

The airport confirmed in a statement shared on social media that there were no known injuries, and two of the facility’s runways would be closed for inspection. A ground stop was put in place at the airport at 12:50 pm, but it was lifted by 2:30 pm. “Travelers may experience some delays. We will provide updates as more information becomes available,” the airport said at the time.