Actor Donnie Wahlberg said he was aboard a plane that skidded off a runway at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport on Sunday, crediting the pilots with saving lives and avoiding a potentially catastrophic crash.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. local time when the aircraft, attempting takeoff on runway 1L, failed to become airborne and ran off the tarmac, striking the airport's perimeter fence, according to airport officials. A ground stop was ordered for several hours, disrupting flight operations at the busy hub.
Wahlberg, known for his roles in films like "Boston Blue" and as a member of the music group New Kids on the Block, took to Instagram to reassure fans and share his account of the harrowing experience. In a video seemingly recorded at the airport shortly after the incident, he said, "I'm OK," and described the plane's aborted takeoff.
"We just finished praying, and I looked out the window and said, 'We are not getting up in the air today,'" Wahlberg recounted. "But we're safe and thankful and all is well."
The actor emphasized the skill of the flight crew, stating, "I'm just going to tell you these pilots saved our lives. And God covered us." He noted that the aircraft managed to avoid several fences before finally hitting one, and crucially, steered clear of "heavy" airport equipment and vehicles, including construction gear and a dumpster visible in his video.
Wahlberg, who was traveling with his team and friends, said the plane took "some lumps" but the passengers did not. He expressed gratitude to the emergency personnel who responded, calling them "absolutely wonderful."
The Federal Aviation Administration told People magazine that eight people were on board when the pilot aborted the takeoff and veered off the runway. No injuries were reported, and the airport confirmed there were no known casualties.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety, with recent runway incursions and close calls drawing national attention. While this particular event did not result in injuries, it underscores the importance of pilot training and emergency preparedness, a topic that has been central to recent political debates over military readiness and infrastructure resilience.
Authorities have not released additional details about the cause of the aborted takeoff, and the investigation is ongoing. The airport resumed normal operations later in the day.
