A Croatia Airlines passenger aircraft skidded off the runway during an aborted take-off at Split Airport in Croatia on Saturday, triggering panic among passengers and briefly disrupting airport operations.The incident involved an Airbus A220-300 operating flight OU412 from Split to Frankfurt. According to local authorities and airline officials, the aircraft veered off the runway and stopped on a grassy patch beside the tarmac while accelerating for departure.Videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising from the aircraft after it came to a halt off the runway. However, all 130 passengers and five crew members onboard were evacuated safely, with no injuries reported.In a statement, Croatia Airlines said, “Croatia Airlines’ Airbus A220-300 aircraft, registered 9A-CAN, which was scheduled to operate today’s regular international flight OU412 from Split to Frankfurt, aborted its takeoff at Split Airport.” “There were 130 passengers and five crew members on board, including two pilots and three cabin crew. All passengers and crew members are safe, and no injuries have been reported,” the airline added.“According to the initial available information, the crew aborted takeoff in line with prescribed safety procedures. Passengers have disembarked and are currently in the passenger terminal at Split Airport, where they are being provided with all necessary assistance for the continuation of their journey,” the airline further noted.Airport authorities said the aircraft sustained damage after striking runway edge lights and a vertical marker sign during the aborted take-off.Split Airport was temporarily shut as emergency response teams and technical crews worked to remove the aircraft and inspect the runway for damage.Croatia Airlines said the pilots rejected the take-off “in accordance with prescribed safety procedures” after deciding it was unsafe to continue.The exact reason behind the aborted take-off remains unclear. A formal investigation has been launched by the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency and the Air, Maritime and Railway Accident Investigation Agency to determine the cause of the incident.
