Jet Skids Off Runway in Burbank

A Southwest Airlines jet skidded off the runway at Hollywood Burbank Airport Thursday morning amid heavy rains. Flight 278 from Oakland slid on runway 8/26 just after 9 a.m. and was stopped near the end of the runway by an engineered material arrestor system, located about 30 to 40 yards away from Hollywood Way. Airport spokeswoman Lucy Burghdorf said the airport remains open although runway 8/26 remains closed due to the incident. Runway 15/33 remains in operation, she added. “Some flights have been cancelled or delayed due to the incident,” Burghdorf wrote in an email to the Business Journal. “We encourage passengers to please check their flight status with their airline before coming to the airport.” Moe Storch, a passenger on the jet, said on Twitter the aircraft hydroplaned after landing on the runway and credited the pilot with an “excellent job” of regaining control of the plane. Heavy rainstorms moved through Los Angeles County Thursday morning, dumping more than an inch of rain.