Private Jet Skids Off Runway at Las Vegas Airport, Temporarily Closing Two Runways

• by Shimanta Das
• October 20, 2026

A private jet skidded off a runway at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport on Sunday, October 18, striking the airport’s perimeter fence and forcing the closure of two runways as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily halted incoming flights. The incident occurred during a busy travel period at the major tourism gateway, which handles millions of passengers travelling to and from Las Vegas for holidays, conventions, concerts and entertainment events. The cause of the runway excursion remains unknown.

The aircraft, a general aviation plane, skidded off Runway 1L upon departure around 11 a.m., prompting the FAA to issue a ground stop for the airport. Two runways were closed for inspection following the incident, meaning flights due to arrive and depart faced significant delays. Runway 1L, the one involved in Sunday’s excursion, measures 8,988 feet and is the shortest of the airport’s four main runways. With both parallel runways shut down for safety sweeps at once, the airport lost a significant share of its east-side departure and arrival capacity in a single stroke. The airport serves major US airlines including Southwest, Delta, American, United, Alaska and Frontier, along with international carriers connecting Las Vegas with destinations in Europe and North America.

The closure of two runways had a cascading effect on flight operations. Why Closing Two Runways Grounds So Many Flights — when both parallel runways are shut down simultaneously, the airport’s capacity is severely reduced, leading to widespread delays and cancellations. The FAA’s ground stop further exacerbated the situation by preventing incoming flights from landing. Passengers faced lengthy delays as the airport worked to inspect the runways and clear the incident. The private jet was carrying Donnie Wahlberg and multiple others, according to reports, though no injuries have been reported. The incident highlights the vulnerability of airport operations to unexpected events and the importance of rapid response to maintain safety and minimize disruption.

The FAA and airport officials are investigating the cause of the runway excursion. Below it, they can abort and stop on the remaining runway; above it, they are committed to flying. This principle of aviation safety underscores the critical decision-making involved in takeoff. As Las Vegas remains a top destination