E195 operating for Air Serbia reportedly damaged after hitting structures during take-off

Serbian investigators are reportedly probing an extraordinary accident in which Embraer 195 became airborne despite being badly damaged on take-off when it collided with navigation aid structures. State-owned television station RTS quotes Air Serbia as saying that the aircraft was operating flight JU324 from Belgrade to Dusseldorf on 18 February, but returned to Belgrade for “technical reasons”. But images circulating on social media, purportedly showing the aircraft involved, reveal substantial damage to the left-hand fuselage and wing root as well as the left horizontal stabiliser. Bosnian public broadcaster RTRS says the aircraft was operated by Greek carrier Marathon Airlines, on behalf of Air Serbia. It reports that the aircraft struck lighting infrastructure at the end of the runway.<br/>