(Moline/Quad Cities) A small private Cessna aircraft which originated from Chicago-Midway, landed today at the Quad City International Airport at approximately 11:00 a.m. with two passengers aboard. Upon landing, their aircraft exited the runway and flipped into the snow, causing only minor injuries. The pilot from Missouri and one passenger from Kansas were taken to a local hospital. Our first priority was tending to the passengers. Our second priority then became removing the aircraft from its location, in order to re-open our main runway to commercial traffic (arrivals and departures.) This caused a handful of delays for commercial airline arrivals and departures late this morning and into the noon hour.
The main runway at the QCIA re-opened for commercial arrivals and departures shortly after 1:00 p.m. There were four commercial aircraft diversions to other regional airports while the runway was closed. Three of the four inbound aircraft relocated back to the QCIA once the main airport runway re-opened. One inbound flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul diverted to Cedar Rapids, but did not relocate to the Quad Cities. However, there was out-bound aircraft for those Minneapolis-St. Paul passengers who were waiting to depart here in the Quad Cities.
Officials at the Quad City International Airport would like to thank all affected travelers for their patience today. Officials and public safety personnel attended to this matter as quickly as possible, with safety for all in mind during this process.
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