Croatia Airlines Airbus veers off Split runway

Croatia Airlines said an Airbus A220-300 veered off the runway during an aborted takeoff at Split Airport on May 16, and Croatian authorities opened a safety investigation after the aircraft stopped on the grass beside the runway. The airline said the aircraft was operating scheduled flight OU412 from Split to Frankfurt when the takeoff was discontinued. Croatia’s accident investigation agency classified the event as a serious incident and said passengers were evacuated after the aircraft stopped. No injuries were reported among the 130 passengers and five crew members on board. ### Which flight was involved, and where did it happen? Split Airport was the site of the incident, which occurred on May 16 during the departure of Croatia Airlines flight OU412 to Frankfurt, according to Croatia Airlines and Croatian public broadcaster HRT. The aircraft involved was an Airbus A220-300. Croatia’s Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accident Investigation Agency said the serious incident occurred at about 13:35 local time at Split Airport. (ain.hr) The agency said one wheel of the aircraft’s landing gear left the asphalt runway surface and entered the grass area beside the runway during the aborted takeoff, after braking. ### What do officials say happened on the runway? (glashrvatske.hrt.hr) The investigation agency said the aircraft left the paved surface during a rejected takeoff and that the event caused minor material damage to the aircraft. Its initial notice did not identify a cause. The agency said Split Airport, Croatia Control and the Croatian Interior Ministry’s operations center notified investigators immediately after the event. (ain.hr) Croatia Airlines said in a statement carried by HRT that “the aircraft partially skidded off the runway” and that the takeoff was aborted before the aircraft came to a stop. Davor Mišić, the airline’s traffic director, told HRT that the aircraft went off the runway with its left main wheels. ### Were there injuries, and how were passengers handled? (ain.hr) HRT reported that no injuries were reported among the 130 passengers and five crew members aboard the Frankfurt-bound flight. Croatia Airlines said all passengers and crew were safe. Davor Mišić told HRT that passengers exited using stairs after the aircraft stopped. (glashrvatske.hrt.hr) He said Croatia Airlines arranged care for passengers at Split Airport and sent a replacement aircraft after the airport reopened, allowing travelers to continue to their destination. ### What is known about the aircraft itself? (glashrvatske.hrt.hr) Croatia Airlines identified the aircraft as an Airbus A220-300. HRT, citing Mišić, reported that the jet was about 11 months old and had logged fewer than 2,000 flight hours. Croatia Airlines has been renewing its fleet with A220 aircraft. In a December 2024 press release, the airline said its A220-300 configuration seats 149 passengers and forms the core of a 15-aircraft fleet replacement plan running through 2027. (glashrvatske.hrt.hr) ### Who is investigating, and what comes next? Croatia’s accident investigation agency said it was launching a safety investigation in line with European Union rules governing civil aviation accident and incident inquiries. (glashrvatske.hrt.hr) The agency’s notice described the Split event as a “serious incident,” a classification used before investigators publish fuller factual findings. (croatiaairlines.com) Croatia Airlines said it was coordinating with Split Airport, relevant services and aviation authorities, and that more information would be released after initial professional assessments and official procedures were completed. The next public updates are likely to come from the airline and Croatia’s accident investigation agency as that process continues. (glashrvatske.hrt.hr) (ain.hr)