Earlier today, Sep. 22, 2008, an American Airlines Boeing 757-200 aircraft diverted to Chicago after experiencing unspecified electrical problems. After landing safely at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, the aircraft left the paved surface near the end of the runway. No one was injured. American Airlines Flight AAL 268 was en route from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport when an electrical problem developed. At the time of the diversion to O'Hare, the aircraft's Instrument Landing System (ILS) receivers were reportedly inoperative. The crew made a visual landing on runway 22R at O'Hare at about 13:42 local time.
Several media reports say that the aircraft "overshot the runway," which definitely was not the case. Instead, it appears that after landing, the crew were unable to stop the aircraft before they ran out of pavement. Some news reports mentioned that one or more tires may have burst, but this has not been officially confirmed.
In a news photo of the incident posted on the KIROTV.com website, the aircraft appears to have departed the runway to the left, with the nose gear and possibly the main gear resting on the grass. There was no emergency evacuation. Passengers were deplaned via portable air stairs.
[Photo Source]
