A private jet carrying singer and actor Donnie Wahlberg and seven others skidded off the runway at Harry Reid International Airport on Sunday morning, striking the airport’s perimeter fence during a failed takeoff attempt.
Wahlberg was leaving Las Vegas after a New Kids on the Block concert when the incident happened. According to the airport, “At approximately 11 a.m., upon departure, a general aviation aircraft skid off runway 1L at LAS and made contact with the perimeter fence.” The airport said there were no known injuries.
Wahlberg described the episode in a social media post Sunday, saying the plane ran out of runway during takeoff and never got airborne.
“We were taking off and didn’t get up in the air and ran out of runway. I’m just going to tell you these pilots saved our lives. God covered us. I’m not sure how many fences we avoided, we didn’t avoid the last one.”
He said the aircraft came close to hitting trucks and other heavy equipment on the ground before coming to a stop.
“Getting a lot of concerned messages and texts about my flight’s failed attempt at leaving Las Vegas this morning,” Wahlberg wrote. “I appreciate your concern and well wishes. I made this video for my friends and family after the incident, but so many of you all are my family too so I figured I’d share with you. Yes, it was me and my team/friends onboard the aircraft.”
He called the experience “a rather intense few moments, which felt like a few long minutes.”
In an Instagram caption, Wahlberg thanked both the flight crew and emergency responders who came to the scene at the airport.
“Thankful to God, of course, and to our incredible pilots who did an amazing job of keeping us safe and avoiding a serious disaster. The airplane did take some lumps — but we did not.”
“Thank you to all the emergency personnel on the ground in Las Vegas! You all were absolutely wonderful,” he added. “All glory to God! By His grace, we are all ok.”
Wahlberg said that after the plane came to a stop, he looked out the window and told himself, “We’re not going up in the air today, but we’re safe and thankful. All is good. Praise Jesus.”
