Mexico City, Mexico — A Copa Airlines plane that left Mexico City International experienced a bad take off after a pit stop in Panama. The incident happened at the Panama Tocumen Airport Sunday night when the plane slide off the runway during heavy rains.
While taxing for takeoff, the aircraft left the runway, coming to a stop in greenery. Although the plane did not appear to be damaged, its emergency slide was activated. The plane’s 159 passengers and seven crew were not injured.
The Boeing 737-800 NG took off from the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City at 5:26 p.m. and landed in Panama City to pick up more passengers. The incident happened when the plane was attempting to depart Panama.
“Our priority is the well-being of the passengers and crew on board the flight, so we will provide them with the necessary assistance,” the Panamanian company said in a Twitter statement.
The heavy rains caused a temporary paralysis of operations at the Panama Tocumen Airport. At least one airline was diverted to another Panama City terminal. It was the airline’s first scheduled flight in their new itinerary from AICM to Panama. As of September 26, the airline began offering the flight three times a week.
