A long-haul arrival from Europe ended with a brief runway excursion on February 21st 2026, when an Iberojet Airbus A350 veered off course after touchdown in Costa Rica, striking runway edge lights before regaining the centerline.
The Iberojet Airbus A350-900, registered EC-NBO, was operating flight E9-857 from Madrid to San José. After landing on runway 07 at Juan Santamaría International Airport, the aircraft veered to the right during the rollout and made contact with runway edge lighting fixtures.
The crew corrected the aircraft’s path and steered it back onto the runway centerline before continuing the rollout. The jet subsequently taxied to the apron without further incident.
Airport authorities confirmed there had been an incident involving an arriving Iberojet aircraft from Madrid that affected the runway lighting system. Despite the contact with the lights, the aircraft was able to vacate the runway and proceed to parking without operational difficulties.
Damage appeared to be limited to the runway lighting infrastructure. There were no reports of injuries among passengers or crew.
After inspections and necessary checks, the aircraft departed San José for its return flight with a delay of approximately three and a half hours.
While minor runway excursions during rollout can occur due to a variety of factors, the crew’s prompt corrective action ensured the aircraft remained under control, allowing the long-haul service to continue after a relatively brief disruption.
