Attempted Taxiway Takeoff: SK2590 Preliminary Report

Key Takeaways

• SAS flight 2590 took off from taxiway, not runway
• Aircraft reached 127 knots before aborting takeoff
• Investigation targets crew training, ATC procedures, signage
• SAS to install Airport Moving Map displays fleet-wide
• No injuries; aircraft stopped near runway guard lights

Summary

Belgian investigators released a preliminary report on SAS flight SK2590, which mistakenly began its takeoff roll on a taxiway at Brussels Airport on 5 February 2026. The crew realized the error at 127 knots, applied reverse thrust and brakes, and stopped on a paved area adjacent to the taxiway without injuries. The incident highlighted gaps in crew situational awareness, ATC coordination, and airport signage. SAS has announced plans to equip its fleet with Airport Moving Map technology to prevent similar events.

Pulse Analysis

Runway incursions and taxiway‑takeoff errors continue to challenge aviation safety, despite decades of mitigation efforts. The SK2590 event adds to a growing list of incidents where pilots, under high workload, misidentify surface markings and initiate takeoff on the wrong strip. Such events often stem from a combination of visual ambiguity, inadequate signage, and limited situational awareness, prompting regulators to revisit human‑factors standards and airport layout guidelines.

Technology offers a promising countermeasure. SAS’s decision to roll out Airport Moving Map (AMM) systems mirrors a broader industry trend toward integrated cockpit navigation displays that overlay real‑time position on detailed airport diagrams. Coupled with advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems (A‑SMGCS), these tools can provide redundant cues to pilots and controllers, reducing reliance on visual line‑of‑sight alone. Training programs are also being updated to emphasize cross‑checking of runway identifiers and to simulate taxiway‑takeoff scenarios in full‑flight simulators.

The preliminary report’s focus on crew workload, ATC procedures, and aerodrome signage signals a multi‑layered response. Regulators may tighten SOPs for runway entry verification and mandate enhanced lighting or audible alerts at critical decision points. Airlines are likely to accelerate adoption of cockpit moving‑map displays, while airports could invest in smarter signage and ground‑based alerts. Collectively, these steps aim to transform a near‑miss into a catalyst for systemic safety improvements across the global aviation network.