Norwegian plane skids off runway in Helsinki

A Norwegian Airways aircraft on Tuesday skidded off the runway while landing at Helsinki Airport, reported the national broadcaster Yle.

The flight DY4287 from Stockholm to Helsinki with 166 passengers onboard arrived at the Helsinki Airport at 7:10 pm, which was 45 minutes delayed from the schedule landing time, said Finavia, the company that operates air traffic and airports in the country.

But the aircraft did not stop on the runway, instead it overshot the runway, ending up on the grass, said the Yle report.

None of the passengers, however, was injured in the incident.

The aircraft was later towed off the grass by tractor and the passengers exited the aircraft at around 8:00 pm, said Finavia.

The Safety Investigation Authority of Finland (Otkes) has initiated a preliminary investigation into the incident.

The authorities considered the incident unusual and dangerous leading it to go for an investigation. The preliminary investigation will take at least a week, during which the plane’s black boxes will be analysed and the pilot will be interviewed, Otkes communications chief Sakari Lauriala told Yle.

Lauriala said, “After this initial probe, we'll know whether to start a full-scale investigation or not.”