RAPID CITY, S.D. — Federal officials are currently investigating why a Delta Air Lines jetliner landed at the wrong airport in South Dakota on Thursday, according to The National Transportation Safety Board.
Officials confirm Delta 2845 departed Minneapolis on Thursday and landed at Ellsworth Air Force Base around 8:45 p.m. Central Time.
The flight’s destination was Rapid City, according to the NTSB. Delta issued a statement on Friday:
“The flight crew of Delta Flight 2845 on the evening of July 7 conducted a safe landing at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota mistakenly rather than the flight’s intended destination of Rapid City, S.D. The Airbus A320 aircraft had 130 customers on board and was in-bound from Minneapolis/St. Paul. The flight re-departed for Rapid City Thursday night after coordinating with officials. Delta has contacted the customers of this flight and offered a gesture of apology for the inconvenience.”
Delta said the crew has been taken off-duty while the investigation is conducted. Delta also said an internal review has already begun.
@Delta Sitting on the tarmac at Ellsworth AFB instead of Rapid City. Flight crew has been awesome. #gpsfail
— Kimberly Schlau Spkr (@UhlSisters) July 8, 2016
@Delta The crew is great but still doesn't explain the massive mix up by landing at the AFB instead of the airport.
— Kimberly Schlau Spkr (@UhlSisters) July 8, 2016
@Delta Pilot takes full responsibility for the error. Airports are close to each other.
— Kimberly Schlau Spkr (@UhlSisters) July 8, 2016