On Thursday, a Norwegian Air flight with 165 passengers onboard veered off the runway upon landing at Molde Airport, prompting concerns over flight safety amid challenging weather conditions. Initial reports indicate no injuries were reported, but the incident has raised questions about the handling of landing procedures under adverse conditions.
According to Eline Hyggen Skari, press contact at Norwegian, the weather played a significant role. "After landing, there was a gust of wind, and the runway was slippery," Skari confirmed. The aircraft had just arrived from Oslo when it went off the runway following touchdown.
Many passengers described the landing as seemingly normal until they noticed the aircraft's precarious position near the water's edge. Stig Waagbø, a passenger, shared his experience with TV 2, stating, "It's first when I look out the window I see, ‘wow, we are five to six meters away from the water's edge.’" Waagbø recounted feeling calm but acknowledged the pilots likely faced significant pressure during the unexpected landing. "It didn’t appear dramatic for us passengers, but the pilots must have had their hearts in their throats," he added.
Another passenger, Svein Erik Krohn, noted the high speed during the approach, saying, "I thought, I hope they know there is a short runway." He observed the aircraft's front wheel was approximately ten meters from the water as they disembarked.
Evacuation of the passengers was carried out smoothly and safely, with fire department personnel guiding them to the terminal. After exiting the plane, passengers gathered about 50 meters from the aircraft before heading to the terminal to await updates on their travel.
Weather conditions in Molde were reported to be severe, characterized by low temperatures and strong winds, as described by Ingrid Lundhaug, meteorologist at Storm Geo. Lundhaug explained, "A strong low-pressure system over the Trøndelag coast generated significant northwesterly winds and cold temperatures. Although it may not have seemed particularly strong at Molde, the gusts can be quite powerful, which can lead to slippery runways."">
The communications director at Norwegian, Esben Tuman, expressed concerns about the incident, emphasizing, "We never approach landing if we do not believe it is safe. Thorough assessments are always conducted prior to each flight.” He also indicated the need for investigations to ascertain how the situation unfolded, acknowledging it should not have occurred.
Authorities have initiated responses to manage the situation. Avinor spokesperson, Monica Fasting, noted the airport would remain closed indefinitely as the process to stabilize and safely remove the aircraft from the runway begins. She advised passengers traveling the next day to follow updates from the airline, which may include rebooking on flights from alternative airports.
The police are involved, planning to interview the crew as part of their investigation. Although all 171 individuals onboard were evacuated unharmed, officials reported many passengers were emotionally affected by the incident.
According to Øystein Løwer from Avinor, all passengers were safely taken to the terminal, where health personnel were available for those affected. The government’s accident investigation board has yet to send representatives to Molde, but they are closely monitoring development.
Hans Jørgen Elnæs, an aviation analyst with Winair, commented on the rarity of such incidents. "It has been quite some time since we’ve seen flights go off the runway during landing here," he mentioned, stating the importance of proper reporting on weather and runway conditions to pilots. Elnæs emphasized, "Clearly, significant changes can occur quickly, which may not always be factored effectively during landing preparations."
Lundhaug anticipates improvements overnight as the low-pressure system weakens. She also refrained from speculating if the weather alone was to blame but acknowledged it could contribute to slippery runway conditions.
Investigations are currently underway, and both authorities and Norwegian Airlines are working to gain clarity on the circumstances leading to the runway incident. Until more insights emerge, passengers and crew are being encouraged to stay informed about safety protocols and contingency plans as the situation continues to develop.
