Southern Airways Express Flight 246, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan en route to Lancaster Airport, PA (LNS) in Pennsylvania, was forced to make an emergency landing on Loudoun County Parkway, just 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) west of Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD). The incident occurred two minutes after the aircraft took off from runway 30 at Washington-Dulles.
The aircraft, registered as N1983X, came to a stop on the side of the busy roadway, prompting a swift evacuation of the seven individuals on board. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers and crew.
Photographs of the aircraft reveal bent propeller blades, indicating the challenges faced during the emergency landing. While the plane remained largely intact, it is likely to have sustained damage upon colliding with a guardrail during the landing.
The incident transpired amidst snowy weather conditions. Authorities opened an investigation.
Southern Airways Express Cessna 208B Grand Caravan is still in its emergency landing spot on Loudoun County Parkway.
— Clark Kent (@ClarkKe49569692) January 19, 2024
On first glance remarkably no damage to the fuselage, only propeller damage, tow truck is currently hooking up to move it off the road. #A188BA – #N1983X pic.twitter.com/oU4Wkc8oeA