An investigation into a Croatia Airlines flight from Split to Frankfurt that veered off the runway during takeoff is underway. The aircraft, an Airbus A220-300, deviated left and landed on the grass near the runway on Saturday. The cause of the deviation is yet to be determined.

Darko Petrin, the lead investigator from the Agency for Investigation of Incidents in Air, Maritime and Rail Transport, stated that the investigation has just begun and comprehensive technical analyses are being conducted to identify the cause of the deviation during takeoff.

Petrin noted that the initial on-site investigation is complete, but key investigative procedures, including analysis of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) data, are still ongoing. These devices, often referred to as the “black boxes,” have been retrieved and are currently being processed.

No passengers or crew were injured, and the damage to the aircraft was minimal, primarily involving the front portion of the landing gear and minor damage to the left engine.

Further interviews with the crew are planned, and the aircraft manufacturer and other expert institutions will be involved in the investigation to gather and integrate all relevant data.

The incident occurred during the takeoff of a regular Split to Frankfurt flight with approximately 130 passengers and five crew members. After the deviation, all passengers and crew were safely evacuated without injury, and the aircraft sustained minor damage.