A Croatia Airlines passenger plane skidded off the runway during an aborted take-off at Split Airport in Croatia on Saturday, sparking panic among passengers and briefly disrupting airport operations.The accident involved an Airbus A220-300 operating flight OU412 from Split to Frankfurt. According to local authorities and airline officials, the plane veered off the runway and stopped on a grassy patch next to the runway while accelerating for departure.
Video clips circulated on social media showed smoke rising from the plane after it stopped on the runway. However, all 130 passengers and five crew members on board were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.“The Croatia Airlines Airbus A220-300, registered 9A-CAN, which was scheduled to operate today’s regularly scheduled international flight OU412 from Split to Frankfurt, has canceled its take-off at Split Airport,” Croatia Airlines said in a statement. The airline added: “There were 130 passengers and five crew members on board, including two pilots and three crew members. All passengers and crew members are fine, and no injuries were reported.”
“According to the preliminary information available, the crew canceled the take-off in line with established safety measures. The passengers have disembarked and are currently in the passenger lounge at Split Airport, where they are being provided with all necessary assistance to continue their journey.”Airport authorities said that the plane was damaged after colliding with runway edge lights and a vertical marker during the aborted take-off.Split Airport was temporarily closed as emergency response teams and technical crews worked to remove the aircraft and inspect the runway for damage.Croatia Airlines said the pilots refused to take off “in accordance with established safety procedures” after deciding that it was unsafe to continue taking off.The exact reason behind the aborted take-off remains unclear. The Croatian Civil Aviation Agency and the Air, Marine and Railway Accident Investigation Agency have launched an official investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
