FRANKFURT- A Pegasus Airlines (PC) Airbus A321neo entered a runway in the wrong direction in Frankfurt on October 20, 2026, leaving the aircraft with just 1,200 metres of usable runway ahead. The incident occurred as flight PC996 prepared to depart Frankfurt Airport (FRA) for Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), prompting the crew to stop and coordinate with air traffic control before repositioning for departure.
Pegasus Airlines confirmed that the aircraft did not attempt to take off in the wrong direction. According to the airline, the crew identified the mistake after turning onto the runway, vacated it safely and re-entered in the correct direction before departing for Istanbul. The event has been reported under standard safety procedures and remains under review.
Pegasus’ Wrong Runway Direction
The aircraft involved was Airbus A321neo registered as TC-RDO, operating scheduled flight PC996 from Frankfurt to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen.
The aircraft was due to depart at 5:35 p.m. local time, but it pushed back from its gate at around 6:09 p.m., according to the initial report.
From its position at Terminal 3, the crew was instructed to taxi towards runway 18/36 using taxiway S. The taxiway intersects the runway approximately 1,200 metres from its northern end, making the direction of the turn critical to the available takeoff distance.
Frankfurt Airport operates four runways, including two parallel east-west runways, a separate runway used for landings and the north-south runway designated 18/36.
Runway 18/36 is used for departures towards the south, meaning aircraft entering from taxiway S are expected to turn left to line up in the correct direction.
The planned turn would have provided approximately 2,755 metres of usable runway. Instead, the pilots turned right, facing north towards the runway’s northern end and leaving only around 1,200 metres of pavement ahead of the aircraft.
Airline Denies Takeoff Attempt
The incident initially attracted attention amid reports suggesting that the aircraft had begun its takeoff roll before air traffic controllers intervened.
Pegasus Airlines disputed that account, drawing a distinction between entering a runway in the wrong direction and attempting to take off in that direction.
The airline said flight PC996 stopped safely on the runway after the incorrect turn and that no takeoff attempt took place. The crew then coordinated with air traffic control, vacated the runway and returned to enter it correctly before departing.
Pegasus also said the incident had been reported in line with standard safety procedures and was under review. The company reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew remained its priority.
The distinction is important because the airline’s account does not describe an attempted takeoff towards the north. Instead, it says the crew recognised the incorrect alignment and corrected the situation before departure.
Investigation And Safety Review
Germany’s air traffic control service reportedly notified the relevant authorities about the incident, according to aviation reporting.
However, the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, known as the BFU, had not confirmed whether it would open a formal investigation in the information provided.
An investigation could examine the taxi instructions, runway-entry procedures, cockpit actions and coordination between the flight crew and air traffic control.
The available information does not establish why the pilots turned right instead of left or whether any procedural or communication issue contributed to the event.
The incident also raises questions about preserving evidence if investigators decide to examine the occurrence.
Initial reporting noted that cockpit voice recorder data could be unavailable if it had already been overwritten, although the status of any evidence preservation measures was not confirmed, PYOK flagged.
For now, the confirmed account from Pegasus is that the aircraft stopped safely, did not attempt to take off in the wrong direction, and subsequently departed after the crew corrected its runway entry. Further details depend on the outcome of the ongoing review and any decision by the relevant authorities to investigate.
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