A routine departure turned into a high-speed abort when a Lufthansa Airbus A321-200, registration D-AISC, operating flight LH-1314 from Frankfurt to Malta, rejected takeoff following a suspected wildlife strike.
The aircraft was accelerating along runway 18 at Frankfurt and had reached approximately 135 knots—well into the high-speed phase of the takeoff roll—when the crew made the decision to abort due to a suspected rabbit strike on the runway.
High-speed rejected takeoffs are among the most critical maneuvers in aviation, requiring immediate and precise action. The pilots safely brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway, ensuring the safety of everyone on board.
Emergency services were dispatched as a precaution and conducted checks on the aircraft’s braking system, which can experience significant stress and heat during such an abrupt stop.
After inspections were completed and the aircraft was cleared for departure, the flight resumed approximately 90 minutes later. The aircraft subsequently departed without further issues and continued to Malta, where it landed safely.
Wildlife incursions on runways, though relatively rare, remain a known hazard in aviation, and this incident highlights how quickly crews must respond to unexpected threats during one of the most critical phases of flight.
