What happened
On August 29, 2009, an Air Algertia Boeing 737-800, registration 7T-VJK, was preparing for a scheduled international flight from Lyon Saint-Exupéry to Sétif. While taxiing on taxiway A7, the crew received clearance to line up and take off on runway 36L.
As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, the pilot flying initiated the takeoff thrust by pressing the TOGA buttons while the aircraft was still approximately 20 meters before the runway centerline. Because the aircraft was light and positioned at a significant angle to the runway, the sudden increase in power caused the aircraft to accelerate rapidly and veer to the right. The aircraft exited the paved surface and traveled approximately 250 meters along the grass shoulder, striking a runway sign.
During the excursion, the pilot manually reduced power on the left engine to help steer the aircraft back toward the runway centerline. Once the aircraft rejoined the pavement, the crew continued the takeoff roll and successfully departed. The crew did not notify air traffic control of the excursion during the flight, and the aircraft's arrival in Sétif revealed damage to the right engine fan blades, the nose gear tires, and the landing lights.