A Croatia Airlines Airbus A220-300 veered off the runway during a high-speed rejected takeoff at Split Airport on May 16, 2026, prompting an investigation by aviation authorities. The aircraft, registered 9A-CAN, was operating flight OU412 from Split to Frankfurt with 130 passengers and five crew members on board.
According to video of the incident and initial reports, the jet was accelerating for departure on runway 23 when it suddenly began veering left at a recorded speed of around 123 knots, close to rotation speed. The aircraft crossed the left runway edge and continued parallel to the runway on the adjacent grass area before coming to a stop roughly 6,000 feet down the strip.
The A220 struck several runway edge lights and a marker board, sustaining minor damage, including to at least one engine cowling. Passengers disembarked via mobile stairs, and no injuries were reported.
Croatia Airlines confirmed the rejected takeoff and stated that safety of passengers and crew is the company’s priority, adding that it is coordinating with Split Airport and relevant authorities. Weather data cited by industry sources indicated strong, gusty crosswinds at the time of the event. The exact cause of the runway excursion remains under investigation.