Air Serbia E195LR Damaged by Runway Light Collision

During takeoff at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, an Air Serbia flight headed for Düsseldorf experienced a terrifying mishap. After striking ground approach lights, the flight, which was being flown by an Embraer 195 operated by Marathon Airlines, sustained significant damage.

Local news sources revealed that the incident stemmed from the aircraft’s departure from an incorrect position on the runway, leading to an overrun and subsequent collision with the approach lighting masts of the opposite runway.

The pilots decided to head back to Belgrade after acting quickly to stop the climb and manoeuvre the aircraft to a safe altitude.

The pilots made a wise choice when they decided to burn off extra fuel before starting the airport return. An hour or so after the first takeoff, the Embraer returned to Belgrade and landed safely, though pictures that went viral on social media showed significant damage.

Despite the gravity of the incident, fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew onboard. However, the aircraft sustained noticeable damage, prompting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.