An Embraer ERJ-195, operated by Marathon on behalf of Air Serbia with the registration OY-GDC, encountered an overrun incident on the runway during its departure for flight JU-324 from Belgrade, Serbia, to Dusseldorf, Germany, on February 18th, 2024. The flight, carrying 106 passengers and crew, initiated takeoff from runway 30L at the intersection of taxiway D5, which has a total runway length available (TORA/TODA/ASDA) of 1273 meters/4175 feet. The aircraft departed at 17:38 local time (16:38 UTC) but failed to become airborne within the designated runway distance, overrunning the runway’s end. Subsequently, it collided with the approach lights of runway 12R, becoming airborne approximately 500 meters/1650 feet beyond the runway’s end. The aircraft managed to climb to 50 feet above ground level about 2050 meters/6700 feet past the runway end, eventually halting the climb at 4000 feet. After burning off fuel, it returned to Belgrade and safely landed on runway 30L around 55 minutes after the initial departure. Despite the aircraft sustaining substantial damage, there were no reported injuries.
Evo kako je izgledao E-195 reg. OY-GDC kompanije Marathon airlines koji leti za ErSrbiju večeras posle prinudnog sletanja na BEG.😕 pic.twitter.com/crLJURHeDa
— Peđa Vučetić (@Pedjijatar) February 18, 2024
Following this incident, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) of runway 12R was downgraded from Category III to Category I. Passengers experienced a significant shake immediately after takeoff and reported that parts appeared to have detached from the left wing. After spending approximately an hour in a holding pattern, the flight returned to Belgrade, where passengers were escorted off the aircraft and informed of a minor incident, though visual evidence suggested more significant damage.
Air Serbia attributed the return of the flight to technical reasons, emphasizing that the landing was conducted safely. The ADS-B data corroborated the initial takeoff path and the point at which the aircraft became airborne.
A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was issued following the event, downgrading the ILS capability of runway 12R from CAT III to CAT I, indicating a temporary reduction in the navigational aids’ precision level available for landings on that runway.
Meteorological reports (METARs) around the time of the incident indicated clear weather conditions, with no significant changes in visibility or wind that would have impacted the flight’s departure.
