An investigation into the incident has been launched
A Croatia Airlines 9A-CTH Airbus A319-112 (stock image)
A plane reportedly containing more than 130 people veered off the runway during take-off before skidding across grass and crashing through airport signs. Shocking footage shows the Croatia Airlines Airbus A220-300 swerving to the left before eventually grinding to a halt.
The drama unfolded at Split Airport in Croatia on Saturday, May 16 at 1.35pm local time. An investigation has been launched, with no injuries reported among the 130 passengers and five crew members.
Passengers and crew were evacuated from the plane, which reportedly sustained damage to the front landing gear and left-hand engine.
Darko Petrin, chief investigator at Croatia’s Air, Maritime and Railway Accident Investigation Agency, said the investigation is still in its early stages.
“It is known that the aircraft, for reasons still undetermined, drifted to the left during takeoff, left the asphalt part of the runway and ended up on the grassy surface next to the runway,” Mr Petrin said.
It is understood that the black boxes on the plane have been taken for analysis. It is thought the investigation into events could take months. The plane – which was flying to Frankfurt – was thought to be travelling at around 130knots (150mph) when pilots aborted the take-off for reasons which are still not yet clear.
The jet itself was delivered less than a year ago to Croatia Airlines. Split Airport was closed for a number of hours after the incident.