Metro

THE REGION

Plane Skids Off Runway at Dulles

A commuter plane for United Airlines skidded off the runway at Dulles International Airport while landing late last night, but no one was injured, authorities said.

Flight 7534, from White Plains, N.Y., was taxiing about 9:40 p.m. when it experienced landing-gear problems and skidded into a grassy area, said Tara Hamilton, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

The 27 passengers and three crew members deplaned on the grass with the assistance of firefighters, said Jeff Green, a spokesman for United. The plane, a turboprop, was a United Express plane operated by regional airline Shuttle America, he said.

THE DISTRICT

Prosecutor Nominated to Appeals Court

President Bush has nominated John R. Fisher, the longtime chief of appeals for the U.S. attorney's office in the District, for a seat on the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Fisher, who has run the appellate division since 1989, would fill the opening created by Chief Judge Annice M. Wagner's decision to retire. Appeals Court Judge Eric T. Washington was named last month to succeed Wagner as chief judge of the city's highest court.

Fisher, 58, was not among the three names that the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission submitted to the White House in April for the opening created by Wagner's retirement. Instead, his name was selected from the three suggested in October to replace Judge John M. Steadman, who retired in August.

Bush nominated D.C. Superior Court Judge Noel A. Kramer to replace Steadman. But because her Senate confirmation hearing and vote are pending, the two other names on that list were still eligible for other openings.

WASA Chairman Returns for New Term

Glenn S. Gerstell will serve a second four-year term as chairman of the board of the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, after his appointment was approved this week by the D.C. Council.

Under his chairmanship, the agency has agreed to a 20-year, $2 billion project to reduce combined sewer overflows and a six-year, $300 million plan to replace all lead service pipes in the District.

The council also confirmed the reappointments of WASA board members Alexander A. McPhail and David J. Bardin.