Summary
- A Lithuanian charter airline’s Airbus 320 veered off the runway while landing at Vilnius Airport but was in a position to reenter the runway and taxi to the gate. No injuries were reported.
- Video footage shows the plane drifting off the runway into the grass before returning to the runway. The plane was covered in mud after the incident.
- Runway excursions can occur attributable to pilot error, environmental aspects, and runway conditions. Unstable approaches and unfavorable weather conditions can contribute to runway excursions.
An Airbus 320 operated by Lithuanian charter airline Avion Express suffered a runway tour during landing at Vilnius Airport. The plane veered off the runway into the mud before reentering the runway and taxiing to the gate. There have been 185 passengers and crew on board and no reported injuries, in response to Aviation Safety Network.
The plane, registered LY-NVL, reportedly suffered some damage from the incident and stays grounded on the airport. It was flying from Milan Bergano Airport in Italy to Vilnius under flight number X98242 on February third and touched down in Vilnius at around 14:20 local time.
Coming back onto the runway after the tour
Video from the scene shows the A320 drifting off the runway into the grass area. Nevertheless, the plane didn’t stop after the tour. As an alternative, it made its way back onto the runway before exiting onto the taxiway. The plane gave the impression to be painted all white, a typical practice amongst charter airlines. It was also covered in mud after emerging from the grass.
Data from flightrader24 also suggest an tour that occurred near the midpoint of the runway. Tracking data shows the plane deviating away from the centerline onto the grass, crossing a taxiway, and at last returning onto the runway just before its exit.
Why Runway Excursions Occur & How They Can Be Prevented
Runway excursion-related accidents and incidents are more common than we normally think.
About Avion Express
Photo: Renatas Repcinskas | Shutterstock.
The Avion Express group of firms is a big narrowbody wet lease and charter specialist operator with a fleet of 54 Airbus A320 family aircraft. Avion Express, based in Vilnius, operates 13 A320-200s, while Avion Express Malta has a mixed fleet comprised of 39 A320-200s plus two A321-200s. Each arms of Avion Express are members of the Ireland-based Avia Solutions Group.