At a Glance
- American Airlines flight 3057 slid off the taxiway at Rochester airport on January 15
- All 90 passengers escaped injury and returned to the terminal by bus
- The Boeing 737-800 had just completed de-icing before the incident
- Why it matters: The close call highlights winter hazards on the tarmac and left travelers scrambling for hotels and rebookings
An American Airlines jet slipped off an icy taxiway moments after crews finished removing snow and ice from its wings, stranding dozens of passengers on a freezing New York evening.
Wide Turn Ends in Snowbank
The Boeing 737-800 was maneuvering away from the de-icing pad at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport around 7:05 p.m. when its landing gear sank into accumulated snow, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
“The crew of American Airlines Flight 3057 made a wide turn while exiting the de-icing pad … and became disabled due to snow at the airport,” an FAA spokesperson told News Of Los Angeles.
The incident occurred in a part of the airfield where the FAA does not direct aircraft movements. Investigators have not determined whether ice, pilot error, or another factor caused the skid.
Passengers Left in the Dark
Airfield crews and airport firefighters reached the aircraft within minutes, bussing all 90 travelers back to the terminal. No injuries were reported.
Passengers on other flights noticed the backup.
“When we landed, it didn’t seem bad at all. It didn’t seem slippery, but we just wondered why it took so long to get to the terminal, because usually it doesn’t take that long,” Theresa Crawl, who arrived on a separate flight, told Rochester First.
Inside the terminal, frustration grew over limited updates rather than the mishap itself, according to local reports.
Rebooking and Reimbursement
American provided hotel rooms for the night and rebooked travelers on a new flight the following morning, the carrier confirmed to News Of Los Angeles.
“Safety is our top priority and we apologize to our customers for their experience,” the airline added.
The aircraft remains on site while investigators examine how it veered off the paved surface.
Key Takeaways
- Flight 3057 was fully de-iced before the taxiway skid
- The FAA classifies the area where the incident happened as outside its control
- No timeline has been given for moving the disabled jet
- Airport officials have not detailed how long delays will persist
