The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series are scheduled to race in Mexico City this weekend but travel woes may prevent some teams and drivers from arriving on time.
NASCAR Charter Flight Loses Engine During Take-Off
NASCAR is heading south of the border this weekend and logistics are proving to be a problem for team members and drivers looking to race this weekend. A charter aircraft carrying multiple drivers and crew members was forced to abort takeoff at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) earlier today when the aircraft experienced engine issues.
The plane involved, a 39 year old Boeing 737-200 with the tail number N467TW, is owned and operated by Ameristar Jet Charter. According to driver Austin Green, the engine “blew up” while they were headed down the runway to depart. The aircraft taxied off of the runway and was met by rescue personnel with passengers being evacuated after the incident.
The plane was on its takeoff roll from Runway 18L when the incident occurred and, based on the ADS-B data, the pilots aborted takeoff close to the maximum rejected takeoff speed.
While these incidents are unrelated, the aircraft involved in the incident is roughly 40 years old, this issue comes hours after an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed killing more than 290 people when departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
According to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, the passengers on the flight are still waiting to hear from NASCAR on the alternative arrangements to get the affected drivers and crew to Mexico City in time for race weekend activities.
Summary
A charter flight carrying NASCAR drivers and team members was forced to abort takeoff earlier today after experiencing engine issues. The 39 year old Boeing 737-200 was operating between Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Mexico City in advance of this weekend’s races at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.