On Mar 29th 2026, a high-speed rejected takeoff brought a dramatic halt to a departing Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A320-200 as flight LX-370 from Zurich to Larnaca was forced to abort departure at a critical moment.
The aircraft, registered HB-JLP, was accelerating down runway 28 and had reached approximately 145 knots—well into the high-speed regime—when the crew rejected the takeoff due to a suspected bird strike. At such speeds, aborting a takeoff is a serious and carefully trained maneuver, requiring immediate and precise action.
The pilots brought the aircraft to a controlled stop on the runway, ensuring the safety of all 149 people on board. Emergency services were promptly deployed to assess the condition of the aircraft, with particular attention given to the brakes, which can reach extremely high temperatures following a high-speed rejection.
After thorough checks on the runway, the aircraft remained stationary for some time before eventually vacating the runway approximately 30 minutes later.
No injuries were reported, but the flight was cancelled as a precaution, allowing maintenance teams to conduct detailed inspections for any potential damage from the suspected bird strike and the heavy braking involved.
High-speed rejected takeoffs are among the most demanding situations flight crews can face on the ground, and this incident underscores both the risks posed by wildlife hazards and the importance of rapid, decisive action in maintaining safety.