Investigation finds Marathon pilots at fault for 2024 Air Serbia accident

The Center for Investigation of Accidents in Transport has filed findings on the serious accident that occurred on February 18, 2024, involving an Embraer E190-200LR aircraft operated by Greece’s Marathon Airlines in a wet-lease arrangement on behalf of Air Serbia, which occurred at Belgrade Airport. The investigation found the pilots at fault for the accident, in which no passengers were hurt, but also criticised some airport procedures upon the aircraft’s emergency landing.

The aircraft, registered OY-GDC, was scheduled to operate flight JU324 to Dusseldorf with 111 people on board, including five crew members from the Greek carrier. The incident unfolded during takeoff and, despite significant aircraft and ground infrastructure damage, resulted in no injuries.

The chain of events began when the crew was cleared to line up on Runway 30L via intersection D6, which provided a takeoff run of 2.349 meters. However, the aircraft mistakenly entered the runway at intersection D5, leaving only 1.273 meters available, far less than the required distance for the aircraft’s actual takeoff weight of over 45 tonnes. Air traffic control immediately noticed the error and warned the pilots that the available takeoff distance was insufficient. They suggested the crew vacate the runway and taxi back to D6. Despite this, the captain insisted they had enough runway and carried out a quick recalculation using the wrong intersection/runway combination (entered as 12R/D5 instead of 30L/D5), with discrepancies noted between the captain’s and first officer’s data entries. This gave a misleading sense of safety margins. The report highlights that the captain exerted pressure on the first officer, who deferred instead of challenging the decision.

Planned taxi and takeoff path (blue), actual taxi and takeoff path (red)

During the takeoff roll, thrust was not advanced to maximum (TOGA) until very late, further reducing performance. As the aircraft accelerated, the crew quickly realised the end of the runway was approaching. The first officer rotated at the calculated Vr, resulting in a tail strike and the aircraft making contact with airport lighting installations and the localiser antenna for Runway 12R. Debris from the damaged structures was later found scattered beyond the airport perimeter. The impact caused structural damage to the left wing, fuselage, stabiliser and climate control systems, as well as fuel leakage from the left tank. Ground facilities also sustained considerable damage, including multiple approach lights and the far-field monitor antenna, rendering the ILS downgraded from CAT III to CAT I capability.

Moment the aircraft hits the localiser antenna

After departure, the crew reported abnormal vibrations, unusual noises, as well as flap problems, and declared an emergency. Air traffic control coordinated with emergency services, arranging for a low pass so the landing gear could be visually inspected. The aircraft then landed safely back on Runway 30L at 18:36 local time, escorted by fire and rescue vehicles. The evacuation was carried out via jet bridge at a parking stand, while firefighting teams worked to contain leaking fuel. The flight crew was unable to detect the damage while taxiing after landing, a conclusion reached during the investigation by simulating the crew’s field of view from the aircraft toward the damaged area.

The investigation also noted that the crew did not properly conduct a standard departure briefing, and this was identified as a contributing factor to the accident. Specifically, the report states that during flight preparation there were significant discrepancies in the performance data entered into the calculation applications. Because the crew skipped or failed to follow a proper departure briefing, those errors went unnoticed. The absence of the briefing meant that incorrect parameters were entered into the Flight Management and Guidance System, and there was no cross-check to catch them.

The investigation revealed multiple procedural lapses and human factor issues. The crew failed to adhere to standard departure briefings and operational cross-checks, leading to incorrect inputs in performance calculations. The captain exerted pressure on the first officer, who did not challenge the decision to depart from the shorter intersection. Compounding the problem, the aircraft was not configured optimally for the shortened takeoff distance, and the reduced thrust setting (FLEX 33°C) was used instead of maximum power from the outset.

Upon landing back in Belgrade, fire crews followed the aircraft during taxi to the gate and took action to contain fuel leaking from the left wing. Foam was applied to prevent fire risk, and passengers disembarked via a jet bridge safely. However, the investigation points out that the aircraft was initially parked at gate C2, at the passenger terminal, despite the fuel leak and structural damage. Only later, after a preliminary inspection, was it towed to a remote stand (B3). The airport’s Emergency Plan has since been revised, requiring such an aircraft to be directed to an isolated parking position immediately, away from terminal operations. Shortly after the accident Air Serbia severed all ties with Marathon Airlines.

Both the 58-year-old captain and the 44-year-old first officer underwent alcohol testing, with results returning negative. During the investigation, the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) were removed from the aircraft and sent for readout and analysis in cooperation with the aircraft manufacturer. The Serbian Civil Aviation accident investigation agency emphasised that the event underscored the need for stricter adherence to performance calculations, intersection takeoff procedures and CRM training. The extensive structural damage to the aircraft and ground equipment, combined with the near loss of control during takeoff, mark this as one of the most serious recent incidents at Belgrade Airport.

The 43-page report, in Serbian, can be viewed here (PDF document).