What happened
On the evening of 5 February 2026, a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight, SAS43M, was cleared for takeoff from runway 07R at Brussels Airport. However, the aircraft, an Airbus A320-251N, mistakenly aligned itself with taxiway E1. The flight crew began the takeoff roll on the taxiway, reaching a speed of 100 knots before realizing the error. The pilots immediately aborted the takeoff, bringing the aircraft to a halt near the intersection of taxiways V1 and C1. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The Belgian Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU(Be)) was notified of the serious incident shortly after the event. Investigators secured the flight recorders and conducted a site assessment. The investigation involves several international stakeholders, including the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK), the French BEA, and the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA). The inquiry is examining flight data, cockpit voice recordings, radar information, and air traffic control communications. Investigators are also reviewing the workload of the air traffic controllers, the effectiveness of the airport's surveillance systems, and the aerodrome's lighting and signage.
Findings
Preliminary information indicates that the flight crew was managing a tight turnaround time due to previous delays and ATC slot restrictions. At the time of the incident, the air traffic controller was managing multiple aircraft on a single frequency after a decision to collapse the ground and air frequencies. The investigation is currently analyzing the navigation error that led to the aircraft using a taxiway for a takeoff roll, a practice that poses significant risks of collision or runway excursions.