A United Airlines flight arriving from Washington Dulles International Airport overran the runway at Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport on Wednesday night. The aircraft came to a stop on an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), a safety feature designed to halt planes quickly. All 53 passengers and crew members exited the plane without injury.
Key Takeaways
- United flight 424 from Washington Dulles overran Runway 16 at Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport.
- The aircraft stopped on an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) after a hard landing.
- No injuries were reported among the 53 passengers and crew.
- The EMAS system, upgraded in 2024 at a cost of $12 million, performed as designed.
- Virginia State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the incident.
Incident Details at Roanoke Airport
The event occurred around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2025. Virginia State Police confirmed the plane landed but lacked sufficient braking distance on the runway. Passengers described a sudden and forceful landing.
Passenger Steve Harrison stated,
“It suddenly went down and it had a very hard but very late landing. In fact, the brakes came on just about the time they were going to hit the cross runway.”His account highlights the sudden nature of the braking action.
Another passenger, Deborah Tatar, shared her experience.
“I was reading, and I thought, my, that was a hard bump because we kind of bounced. I’ve never felt plane brakes go on so strongly before so, I thought that is not good.”Her comments underscore the unusual force of the landing and braking.
Role of the EMAS Safety System
After leaving the paved runway surface, the aircraft entered an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS). This system consists of crushable lightweight concrete blocks. It is specifically engineered to deform under the weight of an aircraft, providing a controlled deceleration and stopping planes that overshoot runways.
Fact: Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS)
An EMAS is a passive safety system designed to stop aircraft that overrun a runway. It uses crushable concrete blocks to absorb kinetic energy, preventing planes from entering hazardous areas beyond the runway end.
The EMAS at Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport was upgraded in spring 2024. This project represented a significant investment in airport safety. Airport officials confirmed it cost $12 million.
Funding and Collaboration for Airport Safety
The funding for the EMAS upgrade came from multiple sources. These included federal, state, and local government contributions. Passenger facility charges also contributed to the project's cost. This collaborative funding model allowed for a comprehensive safety enhancement.
Background: Runway Safety Areas
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates specific runway safety areas. These are clear, graded areas around runways to reduce the risk of damage to aircraft that undershoot, overshoot, or veer off the runway. When physical space is limited, EMAS systems provide an alternative to extending paved safety areas.
The upgrade was completed in close partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This collaboration ensures that the system meets national safety standards. The FAA emphasizes that EMAS systems help airports comply with these critical regulations.
EMAS Performance and Airport Perspective
Alexa Briehl, a spokesperson for Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport, confirmed the EMAS performed correctly.
“So many airports have these when they can’t achieve the runway safety area via pavement,”Briehl explained. She added,
“There’s a thousand extra feet at the end of the runway. We’ve always had ours, but this new EMAS was installed in spring 2024. It performed as expected and as it should.”
This incident marked the first time the EMAS at the end of runway 16-34 was activated since its installation over two decades ago. Its successful operation prevented a potentially much more serious outcome. Passengers expressed relief at the system's effectiveness.
Investigation and Contributing Factors
Virginia State Police and the FAA have launched investigations into the incident. Their goal is to determine the exact cause of the runway overrun. Several factors are under consideration.
- Runway Length: The Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport runway is approximately 1,000 feet shorter than many standard runways.
- Weather Conditions: Heavy rain was reported in the area on Wednesday night. It is not yet clear if the weather contributed to the incident.
The investigations will analyze flight data, pilot reports, and ground conditions. The findings will provide a clearer understanding of the sequence of events leading to the overrun.
Passenger Relief and Safety Impact
Passengers onboard the flight voiced their gratitude for the safety system. Deborah Tatar commented,
“This could have been a major tragedy.”Steve Harrison echoed this sentiment, stating,
“Could’ve ended up on Peter’s Creek Road.”
The EMAS system's successful deployment prevented the aircraft from potentially going beyond airport property. This highlights the importance of such safety infrastructure in modern aviation. It demonstrated how a significant investment in safety can protect lives and prevent severe damage.
The incident at Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport serves as a practical example of aviation safety systems at work. It shows how engineered solutions can mitigate risks during unexpected operational events. The ongoing investigation will aim to enhance future flight safety protocols based on the lessons learned from this event.
