‘New Kids on the Block’ singer and actor Donnie Wahlberg has reassured fans that he and his team are safe after a private jet carrying them overshot the runway at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and struck a perimeter fence. The incident occurred just hours after the band concluded its ‘The Right Stuff’ residency with its 40th and final show on Saturday, October 17. Wahlberg later shared an emotional video, thanking the pilots for bringing everyone to safety.
Donnie Wahlberg’s private jet runs off Las Vegas airport runway
The incident was reported on October 18 after the private aircraft carrying Wahlberg and members of his team ran off the runway at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and hit a fence. According to the Associated Press, the incident prompted airport authorities to temporarily halt departing flights and close two runways for safety checks. Initial reports indicated that nobody had been injured, although Wahlberg’s presence aboard the aircraft was not immediately confirmed. The singer later took to social media to reassure fans that he, his friends and his team had escaped unharmed.The incident came shortly after the 40th and final performance of ‘The Right Stuff’ residency by New Kids on the Block on October 17.
Donnie Wahlberg shares emotional video: ‘These pilots saved our lives’
Later on October 18, Wahlberg posted a selfie video filmed near the spot where the aircraft had struck the perimeter fence. He explained that he had initially recorded the video to inform family and friends that he was safe, but eventually decided to share it publicly.“So many of you all are my family too, so I figured I’d share with you,” he wrote in the caption, confirming that he and his team and friends had been aboard the aircraft.Describing the frightening moments during take-off, Wahlberg said the experience had felt much longer than it actually was. “It was a rather intense few moments (which felt like a few long minutes),” he shared.In the video, the singer explained that the aircraft had failed to get airborne and ran out of runway. Reassuring viewers that everyone was safe, he said, “We’re all okay; I’m okay. We were taking off and didn’t get up in the air and ran out of runway.”The singer then praised the pilots for their actions during the incident, saying, “The runway is way over there. I’m just gonna tell you: these pilots saved our lives.”
‘We avoided those trucks and heavy equipment’: Singer thanks flight crew
Wahlberg also pointed out the construction equipment and other obstacles near the area where the aircraft came to a stop. He said the jet had narrowly avoided several hazards before finally hitting the fence.“And God covered us,” he said, adding that he was unsure how many fences the aircraft had avoided before striking the last one. Referring to the machinery nearby, he continued, “But we avoided those trucks and heavy equipment and the dumpsters behind that.”Reflecting on the experience, Wahlberg said the group was grateful to have survived the frightening ordeal. He also recalled praying shortly before the take-off attempt.“God is good. We had just finished praying, and I looked out the window and said, ‘We are not getting up in the air today.’ But we’re safe and thankful, and all is well. Okay? Don’t worry. Praise God,” he said.
Jenny McCarthy and other celebrities react to Donnie Wahlberg’s update
Wahlberg’s video drew thousands of reactions from fans, friends and fellow celebrities. His wife, television personality Jenny McCarthy, responded with an emotional message, writing, “God is so good!!!!”Actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth also expressed relief, commenting, “Oh goodness! Thank the Good Lord y’all are ok!!”Actress Holly Robinson Peete and Mark McGrath, the lead singer of Sugar Ray, also responded with prayer-hand emojis as fans expressed gratitude that Wahlberg and his companions had escaped injury.
Flight-tracking map shows aircraft’s path before it hit the fence
Red Wave Press shared a flight-tracking map of the Dassault Falcon 50 aircraft, which reportedly showed the jet taxiing towards the runway before travelling beyond the end of the paved surface and veering right into the perimeter fence.Wahlberg acknowledged that the aircraft had sustained damage during the incident, but emphasised that the people aboard were safe. “It took some lumps — but we did not,” he said.KSNV, the local NBC affiliate, reported that the incident occurred at around 11 am local time. The airport’s ground stop reportedly lasted for more than two hours, with flight delays continuing into the evening. Authorities temporarily suspended departing flights and closed two runways to carry out checks following the incident. Further details about the cause of the runway excursion have not been revealed yet.