Muscat – Abu Dhabi – Bahrain – Cairo

On March 10, 1997 at 10:56 AM, Muscat – Abu Dhabi – Bahrain – Cairo experienced a crash involving Airbus A320, operated by Gulf Air, with the event recorded near Abu Dhabi-Al Bateen Abu Dhabi (<U+0625><U+0645><U+0627><U+0631><U+0629> <U+0623><U+0628><U+0648> <U+0638><U+0628><U+064A><U+200E>).

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

115 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 115 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 107, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. During the takeoff roll on runway 31 at Abu Dhabi Airport, just before V1, the aircraft started to vibrate and longitudinal control was lost. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiate an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its nose gear and came to a halt few dozen metres further. On impact, the cockpit and both engines were almost destroyed and the left wing broke in two.

Aircraft reference details include registration A4O-EM, MSN 536, year of manufacture 1995.