Weather causes problems at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport

Staff and wire report

Slick conditions could have contributed to an Allegiant aircraft taxiing off the runway at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna.

Dan Dickten, director of aviation, said it’s possible the weather played a role in the minor accident that occurred about 6:30 p.m. Monday.

“It’s hard to tell if weather was a factor,” he said. “It was probably a combination of both [the weather] and the pilot taking a turn too wide.”

Dickten said the plane landed safely Monday evening, but as the pilot taxied the aircraft toward the gate, he took a turn too wide causing the nosegear and a front wheel to slide off the runway into the grass.

“We unloaded the passengers, and a van took them back to the terminal building,” he said.

Dickten said no one was injured, and though he didn’t know exactly how many passengers were on-board, the planes, which hold about 150 people “are typically pretty full.”

Those on board airplanes aren’t the only ones dealing with slick conditions, however.

Ohio drivers are being warned about icy roads after snow fell in some pockets of the state, including the Mahoning Valley.

Dispatchers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Warren reported Monday night that each county experienced dozens of calls and weather-related traffic accidents, though none were serious.

A lake-effect snow warning is in effect for Trumbull County until noon today, according to the National Weather Service. Accumulation of 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected overnight with another inch this morning.

Folks in Mahoning County should expect high winds and blowing snow, but only about 1 inch of accumulation overnight, according to the National Weather Service. More than that had fallen by about 9 p.m., however.

Temperatures are expected to reach about 19 degrees today.

Authorities in southwest Ohio say snow contributed to multiple traffic accidents in that area Monday. The Miami County sheriff’s office said icy conditions may have been a factor in a crash that killed a man and injured another person.

The Hocking County sheriff’s office in southeastern Ohio issued a Level 1 snow emergency that warned of icy spots and discouraged people from driving unless absolutely necessary.

Cleveland Hopkins Airport reported scattered flight disruptions as the Lake Erie region braced for up to a foot or more of snow.

This winter had been relatively snow-free, allowing governments to save money on road salt and work crews. But ski resorts have been anxious for snow.