SAS Plane Aborts Taxiway Takeoff at Brussels
A SAS Scandinavian Airlines passenger jet aborted its takeoff at Brussels Airport after mistakenly attempting to depart from a taxiway instead of a designated runway, prompting the evacuation of 165 passengers and the launch of a formal investigation.
The Airbus A320neo was scheduled to fly from Brussels to Copenhagen at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time on Thursday. According to Belgian broadcaster VRT, the aircraft accelerated to about 220 kilometers per hour (137 miles per hour) before the takeoff was safely rejected. No injuries were reported.
Brussels Airport spokesperson Ariane Goossens said early indications suggest the aircraft began its takeoff roll on a taxiway rather than the assigned runway. Taxiways are used to move aircraft between terminals and runways and are not designed for takeoff or landing operations.
The jet came to a stop near airport fuel storage tanks, triggering an immediate response from fire crews and emergency services. As a precaution, passengers were evacuated from the aircraft. Airport authorities said the incident did not disrupt other flights and that operations continued as normal the following morning.
Aviation experts described the event as highly unusual and potentially serious. Luc De Wilde, an aviation analyst, warned that attempting a takeoff from a taxiway could have had fatal consequences, depending on obstacles, surface conditions or aircraft performance limits.
It remains unclear whether the cockpit crew recognized the error independently or were alerted by air traffic control before aborting the takeoff. Investigators will examine cockpit voice recordings, flight data, air traffic control communications and airport ground markings to determine how the incident occurred and whether procedural or human factors played a role.
Belgian aviation authorities have opened a formal investigation, which could take weeks or months to complete. The probe will likely assess compliance with standard operating procedures, airport signage and lighting, and coordination between pilots and controllers.
The incident adds to ongoing global scrutiny of runway and taxiway safety, as aviation regulators emphasize the importance of situational awareness and communication to prevent potentially catastrophic errors during critical phases of flight.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=SAS, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aa.com.tr