Donnie Wahlberg Reflects on Near-Miss Event After Plane Skids Off Runway
Donnie Wahlberg remains surprised that New Kids on the Block Day is still celebrated, years after former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis designated April 24 as the band’s official day.
Recently, Wahlberg expressed his gratitude towards God and the pilots for averting a potential tragedy when a private jet carrying him and seven others veered off the runway at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Following a performance with New Kids on the Block during the band’s Las Vegas residency, Wahlberg took to social media to narrate the incident, thanking the pilots and God for their safety.
“Receiving many worried messages and texts about my flight’s failed departure from Las Vegas this morning,” he explained in a caption. “I appreciate your concern and well wishes.”
Wahlberg shared his appreciation through a video initially intended for friends and family, emphasizing that they all feel like family to him. He described the tense moments as feeling elongated, though they were over quickly. The video elaborated that the plane did not take off and ended up running out of runway.
“We’re all okay. I’m okay,” Wahlberg assured. “We were in the process of taking off, but did not get airborne and ran out of runway.” Accompanied by his wife Jenny McCarthy, Wahlberg had just completed a performance the previous night. He praised the pilots for their decisive actions that prevented a catastrophe.
“These pilots saved our lives. God protected us,” he continued, mentioning how the aircraft narrowly avoided collisions with various obstacles like trucks and heavy equipment.
Feeling grateful, Wahlberg expressed his thanks to God and the emergency personnel who swiftly responded to the incident.
“Thankful to God, and our incredible pilots who ensured our safety and avoided a serious disaster,” he stated. “The airplane endured some damage, but we remained unharmed.”
Jenny McCarthy responded to her husband’s social media post by commenting, “God is so good!”
Monika Bertaki, spokesperson for Harry Reid International Airport, confirmed that the aircraft skidded off runway 1L around 11 a.m. and contacted the airport’s perimeter fence. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. Due to this event, the airport temporarily closed runways 1R and 1L for inspection, warning travelers of potential delays. Later updates confirmed the runways’ reopening after inspections.
An air traffic control recording aired on TikTok included a voice saying, “Aborting. Aborting,” shortly followed by confirmation that emergency vehicles were dispatched.
A representative for Wahlberg did not provide an immediate response to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.