A high-speed rejected takeoff unfolded in Somalia on March 3rd 2026 when an Ethiopian Airlines jet aborted its departure just moments before liftoff, bringing operations on the runway to a tense halt.
The Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800, registered ET-AQN, was performing flight ET-377 from Mogadishu to Addis Ababa. As the aircraft was accelerating for takeoff on Mogadishu’s runway 23, the crew rejected the takeoff at high speed—reported to be about 140 knots over ground—after both doors on the left-hand CFM56 engine opened.
The crew brought the aircraft to a safe stop on the runway, where it remained stationary for approximately 30 minutes while the situation was assessed. The aircraft then vacated the runway and returned to the apron without further incident. No injuries were reported.
Somalia’s Aviation Minister later described the event as a minor runway incident. Ethiopian Airlines, meanwhile, stated that the crew encountered a bird strike during the takeoff roll, prompting precautionary measures and the decision to abort the departure.
As of around 31 hours after the rejected takeoff, the aircraft remained on the ground in Mogadishu, indicating ongoing inspections and maintenance checks before any return to service.
Rejected takeoffs at high speed are rare but critical safety maneuvers, underscoring how flight crews are trained to respond decisively when abnormal indications appear during the most demanding phase of flight.
