One of Croatia Airlines’ Airbus A220-300s has suffered a runway excursion while aborting take-off from Split.

The aircraft (9A-CAN) had been bound for Frankfurt as flight OU412 on 16 May.

But during its take-off roll from Split’s runway 23, the aircraft veered to the left and ran onto grass.

Croatian air accident investigation agency AIN states that the “serious” event occurred at about 13:35.

“During the aborted take-off, after braking, one of the aircraft’s landing-gear wheels came off the asphalt surface of the runway on the [grass],” it says.

“After the aircraft stopped the passengers were evacuated, and minor material damage was caused to the aircraft.”

The reason for the abort has not been clarified.

But video circulating on social media, purporting to show the incident, indicates that reverse thrust was engaged and, shortly afterwards, the twinjet’s left-hand Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engine struck a runway sign board during the excursion.

Croatian air traffic control, the Split airport operator, and the government’s emergency response centre notified AIN immediately after the occurrence.

AIN says it has initiated an inquiry.

Croatia Airlines is undergoing a transition to the A220 as part of a fleet modernisation, and the jet involved was delivered less than a year ago.

The carrier says the aircraft aborted the take-off in accordance with prescribed procedures, and that the jet came to rest partly on the grass adjacent to the runway.

It adds that none of the 130 passengers and five crew members was injured.

“The aircraft is currently at Split airport awaiting inspection by the relevant authorities,” says the airline.

“Technical checks and official procedures are ongoing. More information on the technical condition of the aircraft will be available after the relevant inspections and official procedures have been completed.”

Croatia Airlines says the safety of its passengers and crew members is the company’s “absolute priority”, adding that its ground staff are providing all necessary support, including arranging a replacement aircraft to take travellers to Frankfurt.

Source: Flight Global