Horizon plane freed from mud at Lewiston airport

A Horizon Air passenger plane that was stuck in mud at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport was freed Thursday, more than 24 hours after one of its wheels dipped off the taxiway.

Maintenance technicians from Alaska Airlines, which operates Horizon Air, had to wait for towing straps from the aircraft manufacturer to arrive so they could pull the plane without damaging it, according to Alaska spokeswoman Bobbie Egan.

The plane was moved from the taxiway about 5 p.m. It will temporarily remain at the Lewiston airport for a safety inspection.

The Horizon flight from Seattle landed about 1 p.m. Wednesday and became stuck when the main left wheel strayed from the snow-covered taxiway as the plane approached the Lewiston terminal. The wheel sank into the earth, stranding the plane about 500 yards from where passengers typically disembark. None of the flight’s 45 passengers or four crew members was injured in the incident.

Passengers were transported to the terminal via a Lewiston school bus and Lewiston Transit bus.

The plane’s location on the taxiway did not interfere with other flights coming and going, airport manager Chris Hayes said.

Egan said she could not comment on the plane’s dollar value, but according the manufacturer’s website, the January 2016 average list price for a Bombardier Q400 is $31.9 million.