A cargo flight ended in dramatic fashion when a regional jet overran a rain-slick runway and came to rest beyond airport boundaries, partially on a public roadway.
On Mar 20th 2026, an IBC Airways Embraer ERJ-145, registration N271BC, operating cargo flight II-4761 from Miami to Les Cayes, landed on runway 08 at Les Cayes in light rain conditions.
During the landing roll, the aircraft was unable to stop within the available runway distance and overran the end of the runway. It continued approximately 65 meters (210 feet) beyond the runway threshold, breaking through the airport perimeter fence before coming to a stop partially on National Route #7, a nearby public road.
Despite the severity of the overrun and the unusual final position of the aircraft, both crew members onboard escaped without injury. However, the aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the excursion and impact with the fence.
Weather conditions at the time may have played a role. While no official METAR was available, local observations indicated light rain, relatively low pressure around 1008 hPa, and increasing winds from the southeast reaching up to 15 knots. Temperatures and dew points were close, suggesting a moist environment conducive to reduced braking performance on the runway.
Runway overruns, particularly on wet surfaces, remain a persistent risk in aviation, especially at airports with limited runway length or challenging conditions. In this case, the aircraft’s trajectory beyond the airport perimeter highlights how quickly such incidents can extend beyond the airfield itself.
Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the landing, including runway conditions, braking performance, and operational factors, as part of the ongoing assessment of the event.
