97 Knots Off the Left Side: N426FX's Runway Excursion at Opa-locka

A Flexjet business jet arriving from the Bahamas veered off the runway at Opa-locka during a thunderstorm, still moving at nearly 100 knots when it left the pavement.

Landing Into Weather

N426FX, an Embraer Legacy 450 flying for Flexjet, arrived at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport from Marsh Harbour in the Bahamas on the afternoon of September 4, 2026 — landing during an active thunderstorm, the kind of weather that brings gusting, shifting crosswinds and the risk of a wet or contaminated runway surface working against directional control right at the moment an aircraft is most vulnerable to it: during the landing rollout.

Off the Runway at Speed

After touchdown on Runway 09L, the aircraft veered off the left side of the runway while still traveling at approximately 97 knots — a meaningful amount of energy still in the airframe when it left the paved surface, more consistent with a directional-control loss during the rollout than a low-speed taxi excursion.

No Injuries

The aircraft came to rest off the runway; no injuries were reported among those aboard.

What a Thunderstorm Does to a Landing Rollout

Crosswind gusts during a thunderstorm can push an aircraft sideways faster than a pilot's rudder and braking inputs can correct for, particularly if the runway surface itself is wet enough to reduce tire grip. Whether this excursion was primarily a weather factor, a mechanical issue with braking or steering, or pilot technique in difficult conditions is exactly what the investigation exists to determine — nothing in public reporting yet assigns a specific cause.

Investigation Status

The NTSB has an open investigation; no probable cause has been published as of this writing.

This reconstruction was researched from official investigation records where they exist, the original air traffic control recording, and contemporary reporting. The aircraft movement, timeline and written account were assembled independently by Flight Follower. Where an investigation is open or no probable cause has been published, the account says so rather than offering one.

Timeline

Accident Facts

Sources

• Aviation Safety Network incident record, Embraer EMB-545 Legacy 450 N426FX, Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, September 4, 2026