A transatlantic departure from Colombia to Spain was abruptly halted on February 21st 2026, when a widebody jet accelerating down the runway suffered an engine failure, forcing the crew to reject the takeoff at high speed.
The Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas Airbus A330-200, registered EC-OAP, was operating flight PU-221 from Cartagena to Madrid. The aircraft was accelerating along runway 01 in Cartagena when the crew initiated a rejected takeoff at approximately 92 knots over ground.
The jet decelerated safely and exited the runway before returning to the apron. There were no reports of injuries.
According to information received by The Aviation Herald, one of the aircraft’s CF6 engines failed during the takeoff roll, prompting the high-speed abort. The affected engine requires replacement, leaving the aircraft grounded in Cartagena. As of about 35 hours after the incident, the A330 remained on the ground awaiting maintenance action.
Local media reports indicated that passengers were initially informed they would depart on Sunday, February 22nd. However, many were still seeking clarification regarding their onward travel and were later advised that arrangements were being made for a Monday, February 23rd departure to Madrid.
Rejected takeoffs at higher speeds are among the most demanding maneuvers in airline operations, requiring precise coordination and immediate decision-making. In this case, the crew’s response ensured the aircraft came to a controlled stop, preventing what could have become a far more serious event as the flight prepared for its long-haul journey across the Atlantic.
