**Donnie Wahlberg Involved in Airport Incident in Las Vegas**
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Actor and musician Donnie Wahlberg found himself at the centre of an alarming incident at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport on 18 October 2023. The star was aboard a private jet that skidded off the runway while attempting to take off, sparking concern among those on board and on the ground.
The actor, best known for his role in “Boston Blue,” was travelling on a Dassault Falcon 50, which was destined for Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada. Witnesses reported that shortly after take-off was initiated around 11 a.m. local time, the plane was forced to abort its ascent, ultimately veering off the runway.
In a timely update shared via his Instagram account, Wahlberg recounted the harrowing moments that followed the aircraft’s aborted take-off. He expressed gratitude for the safety of everyone on board, stating, “We did not 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’re safe and thankful, and all is well.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later confirmed that the plane had struck a fence after going off the runway, but remarkably avoided colliding with heavy vehicles and equipment stationed at the airport. This fortunate outcome was echoingly noted by Wahlberg, who thanked the pilots for their skillful handling of the situation.
Along with his heartfelt message to his family and friends, Wahlberg acknowledged his followers, saying, “So many of you are my family too so I figured I’d share this with you.” He described the incident as “intense” and reiterated his appreciation for both divine intervention and the airport’s emergency personnel, who assisted following the incident.
In an audio clip posted on TikTok, an air traffic control operator’s voice could be heard announcing, “Aborting. Aborting,” shortly after the jet’s take-off was halted. The controller proceeded to confirm that emergency vehicles were being dispatched and inquired about any injuries. Fortunately, as the airport later announced, there were no reported injuries from the incident.
The airport also released a statement via social media, indicating that two of its runways would be temporarily closed for inspection resulting from the incident. Following the runway’s shutdown, a ground stop was implemented, but the halt to operations was eventually lifted by 2:30 p.m., allowing flights to resume.
Although it was a stressful situation for all involved, it appears normal operations at the airport were quickly restored. However, the airport did warn that travellers might encounter delays as the situation was assessed.
Prior to the incident, Wahlberg had just completed a performance with New Kids on the Block, marking the conclusion of the boy band’s Las Vegas residency. In a light-hearted post shared on his Instagram Stories the day before the incident, he had posted a casual selfie taken from the plane, featuring the message, “His love is eternal.”
Wahlberg’s experience underscores the unpredictable nature of air travel, where even well-planned journeys can go awry. At the present time, no further information regarding the incident has been provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), who stated they did not have any updates to share.
The incident has certainly caught the attention of Wahlberg’s fans, prompting a wave of supportive messages as he reassures everyone of his safety after what could have been a much more serious situation.