Incident Overview
On Thursday, 5 February 2026, at 21:04 UTC, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight SAS43M, an Airbus A320-251N (A320neo), was cleared for takeoff from runway 07R at Brussels Airport (ICAO: EBBR). The aircraft, operating a commercial international passenger flight from Brussels to Copenhagen (EKCH), inadvertently aligned itself with taxiway E1 instead of the runway.
Sequence of Events
According to the preliminary report by the Belgian Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), the flight crew had begun their duty period earlier that day with flight SAS10C from Oslo to Copenhagen. After arriving in Copenhagen, the crew operated SAS43M to Brussels. The departure from Brussels was scheduled for the evening.
After receiving takeoff clearance, the aircraft began accelerating down what the crew believed to be runway 07R but was actually taxiway E1. The aircraft reached a speed of 100 knots before the flight crew recognized the misalignment. The pilots immediately rejected the takeoff and brought the aircraft to a stop near the intersection of taxiways V1 and C1.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries were reported among the persons on board, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
Investigation
The AAIU was notified by airport authorities at 21:35 UTC. Due to the absence of injuries or damage, investigators did not travel to the scene immediately but instructed preservation of evidence. An investigator visited the site the following morning to conduct an initial assessment and secure the flight recorders.
In accordance with international regulations, Belgium notified Sweden (State of Operator and Registration), France (State of Manufacturer and Design), and the relevant international organizations (ICAO, EASA). Accredited representatives and technical advisors from SAS, Airbus, and EASA participated in the investigation. Later, the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority joined as the State of nationality of the flight crew.
Classification
The event was classified as a Serious Incident in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and Regulation (EU) No 996/2010 because the aircraft began its takeoff from a location not designed for that purpose, creating a risk of collision with other aircraft, vehicles, personnel, or obstacles. An aborted takeoff from a taxiway is explicitly listed as a serious incident.
Contextual Information
At the time of the incident, the aircraft was in the takeoff phase of flight. The weather conditions, communication recordings, and other factual data are being analyzed. The preliminary report notes that no analysis or conclusions are included; these will be addressed in the final report expected within 12 months.