Ariana Afghan Airlines Boeing 737-400 Overruns Runway During Takeoff at Khost Airport

On August 23, 2024, an Ariana Afghan Airlines Boeing 737-400, registration YA-PID, operating flight FG-403 from Khost (Afghanistan) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) with 110 passengers and 9 crew members, encountered a significant incident during takeoff from Khost’s runway 24. While accelerating for takeoff, the aircraft overran the end of the runway, breaching the airport’s perimeter fence before managing to lift off. Despite the incident, the crew successfully diverted the aircraft to Kabul International Airport for a landing on runway 29 without any further complications. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew.

Damage and Aftermath:

• Structural Damage: According to reports, the aircraft sustained substantial damage, particularly to the vertical stabilizer. Both mounts of the vertical stabilizer were found to have cracks or fractures, though the crew was able to maintain directional control of the aircraft. In addition, the aft fuselage suffered severe damage due to the runway overrun and the subsequent passage through the airport fence.
• Aircraft Status: The Boeing 737-400 remains grounded in Kabul approximately 45 hours after the emergency landing, awaiting further inspection and repair.

Flight and Runway Details:

• Runway Information: Khost International Airport features a single runway, 06/24, with a length of 8,740 feet (2,664 meters). The length is typically sufficient for takeoff, though circumstances in this case caused the aircraft to overrun the end of the runway.
• No Weather Information Available: As of now, there is no available weather information or NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) for Khost at the time of the incident, leaving open the possibility that environmental factors or other operational conditions may have contributed to the runway overrun.

Investigation and Next Steps:

An investigation into the incident is expected to determine the exact cause of the runway overrun and the extent of the damage. This could involve factors such as potential pilot error, technical malfunctions, or environmental conditions. The incident underscores the importance of adequate runway length, especially in challenging environments like Khost, which may experience variable operational conditions.

The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities of operating at regional airports, where runway overruns, while rare, can lead to significant safety concerns.