A Croatia Airlines Airbus A220-300 veered off the runway during an aborted takeoff from Split Airport (SPU) in Kastela, Croatia, on May 16, 2026, damaging the aircraft but causing no injuries.
The aircraft, registered 9A-CAN, was operating as Flight OU412 from SPU to Frankfurt (FRA) when the crew rejected the takeoff on Runway 23. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway and came to rest partly on the grass.
Video posted online shows the A220 accelerating on the runway before drifting left and continuing onto the grass.
Croatia Airlines said 130 passengers and five crew members were on board, including two pilots and three cabin crew. All passengers and crew were safe, and no injuries were reported.
“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,” the airline said in a statement cited by local media.
The cause of the runway excursion has not been determined.
Mate Melvan, head of passenger handling at Split Airport, told local media that the aircraft veered off the runway during its takeoff roll “for reasons yet unknown” and ended up partly on the grass. He said the aircraft was damaged after striking a vertical sign and runway edge lights.
The aircraft was later towed from the area. Operations at SPU resumed after the incident, though several flights were delayed, canceled or diverted.
The incident involved one of Croatia Airlines’ newest aircraft. The carrier has been renewing its fleet around the Airbus A220, with plans to move to an all-A220 fleet as older Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft leave service.
The Airbus A220-300, formerly developed as the Bombardier CSeries CS300, is the larger variant of the A220 family and is used by airlines on short- and medium-haul routes.
