Croatia Airlines A220 Aborts Takeoff at Split Airport

A Croatia Airlines flight OU412 aborted its takeoff at high speed from Split Airport (SPU) on Saturday, May 16, resulting in a runway excursion. The Airbus A220-300 runway excursion involved the aircraft, registration 9A-CAN, veering off the runway surface and coming to a stop on the adjacent grass. All 130 passengers and 5 crew members evacuated the aircraft safely with no reported injuries. The flight was scheduled to operate from Split to Frankfurt (FRA).

The incident occurred as the aircraft was accelerating for takeoff on runway 23. According to FlightRadar24 ADS-B Telemetry Data, the aircraft reached a speed of 131 knots before the crew initiated a rejected takeoff (RTO). During the event, the aircraft sustained visible 9A-CAN aircraft damage, including to the cowling of its left Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engine after striking runway edge lights and signs. The successful evacuation highlights the crew's adherence to emergency procedures, a critical aspect of aviation safety.

Investigation and Regulatory Oversight

Croatia's Agencija za istraživanje nesreća (AIN), the national Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accidents Investigation Agency, has launched a formal investigation into the serious incident. The investigation will proceed under the guidelines of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which mandates a thorough inquiry to determine the root cause and contributing factors. The primary objective of the AIN investigation is to issue safety recommendations to prevent future occurrences, not to assign blame.

The flight crew's actions will be reviewed in the context of established protocols. According to a statement from Croatia Airlines, the crew followed all prescribed procedures for an emergency of this nature. The successful evacuation of all 135 individuals on board demonstrates the effectiveness of training governed by regulations from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), specifically EASA Part-ORO (Organisation Requirements for Air Operations).

Fleet and Industry Context

The incident involves a relatively new aircraft for the airline. The Airbus A220-300, 9A-CAN, was delivered to Croatia Airlines in mid-2025. It is a key part of the carrier's significant fleet renewal strategy. The airline is in the process of replacing its entire legacy fleet of Airbus A319 and Dash 8-Q400 aircraft with a single, modern fleet of 15 Airbus A220s by 2027. This move is intended to improve operational efficiency, with the A220 offering a reported 25% reduction in fuel burn compared to previous-generation aircraft.

High-speed rejected takeoffs are among the most critical and high-risk maneuvers a flight crew can perform. Aviation safety bodies closely monitor these events due to the potential for catastrophic outcomes, including brake fires, tire failures, and runway overruns. The Flight Safety Foundation notes that executing an RTO near V1 (takeoff decision speed) is an action reserved for situations where the aircraft is deemed catastrophically unsafe to fly, as the risks of stopping can outweigh the risks of continuing the takeoff with a manageable failure.

Stakeholder and Operational Impact

The runway excursion has immediate consequences for several key stakeholders. For Croatia Airlines, the incident results in the temporary loss of a new-generation airframe, which could constrain network capacity during the busy summer travel season. The grounding of 9A-CAN pending investigation and repairs removes a valuable asset from its streamlined A220 fleet.

For engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, the event will trigger a detailed inspection and likely overhaul of the damaged PW1500G engine. Should the investigation reveal that an engine anomaly was a contributing factor to the aircraft veering, it could lead to broader scrutiny.

Split Airport operations were temporarily disrupted following the incident to allow for the safe removal of the aircraft and inspection of the runway. The airport authority also faces costs associated with repairing damaged runway infrastructure, including edge lights and signage.

Historical Precedents

This event is not without precedent. In May 2024, an Air Senegal Boeing 737-300 experienced a runway excursion during its takeoff roll, resulting in 11 injuries and substantial aircraft damage. That investigation focused on potential hydraulic or flight control system failures. The Croatia Airlines incident, while resulting in no injuries, similarly highlights the challenges of maintaining directional control during a high-energy, on-ground emergency.

Another relevant case is the October 2016 incident involving American Airlines Flight 383, a Boeing 767 that suffered an uncontained engine failure during its takeoff roll in Chicago. The subsequent high-speed RTO and fire destroyed the aircraft. The investigation led to significant safety recommendations regarding engine inspection protocols and emergency evacuation procedures, reinforcing the extreme dangers associated with aborting a takeoff at high speed.

A220-300 vs E195-E2: Key Specifications

The Airbus A220-300 is a key competitor in the large narrowbody regional jet market. Its primary rival is the Embraer E195-E2, both powered by Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines. Below is a comparison of their key specifications, with more details available on the official Airbus A220-300 page.

What Comes Next

The Croatian AIN is expected to release a preliminary report on the incident within 30 days, likely by mid-June 2026. This initial report will outline the known facts of the event but will not contain a full analysis or final conclusions. A comprehensive final accident investigation report, which will detail the probable cause and issue formal safety recommendations, is expected to be published by mid-2027.

Why This Matters

This incident serves as a critical real-world test of modern aviation safety systems, from aircraft design to crew training. The successful evacuation of all 135 people underscores the effectiveness of current emergency protocols. However, the investigation into why a new-generation aircraft veered off the runway during a rejected takeoff will be closely watched by airlines, regulators, and manufacturers to identify potential vulnerabilities and reinforce safety standards across the industry.