Sept. 25 (UPI) — The Pittsburgh Steelers landed safely in their hometown Monday afternoon after an engine issue caused their flight from Las Vegas to be diverted to Kansas City, Mo.
The Steelers confirmed Monday afternoon that the flight finally reached its destination, ending a longer-than-expected road trip.
“Our team charter plane was unexpectedly diverted to Kansas City early this morning on our way back to Pittsburgh following our game in Las Vegas,” Steelers senior director of communications Burt Lauten wrote on X early Monday.
“Everyone on the plane is safe, and we are making necessary plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today.”
Sorry you had to make an unscheduled touchdown in Kansas City, @Steelers. That will be the only one this year (not on the @Chiefs schedule). Post season: who knows? Fly safely. pic.twitter.com/KF17e3neN2— Kansas City International Airport (@Fly_KansasCity) September 25, 2023
KDKA, which had a news crew onboard, reported that the flight took off late Sunday and landed at about 5 a.m. EDT Monday at Kansas City International Airport. The CBS affiliate said the emergency landing was made because of an oil pressure failure in one of the Delta plane’s engines.
The Steelers (2-1) beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in Las Vegas. The loss dropped the Raiders to 1-2 this season.
Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward joked about the emergency landing Monday morning on X.
“Dang, emergency landing in K.C.,” Heyward wrote on the social media platform, formerly known as Twitter. “I think it’s due to Minkah Fitzpatrick’s ‘roughing the passer call.’ But seriously, landing in K.C.”
Heyward also referenced the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce dating rumors, making a joke about the pop star and Kansas City Chiefs tight end giving the Steelers a ride back to Pittsburgh.
Steelers players remained on the original plane before a replacement plane flew the team back to Pittsburgh, a Kansas City International Airport spokesperson told KDKA.
The Steelers will face the Houston Texans on Sunday in Houston.
