China Express CRJ9 at Chongqing on Aug 26th 2014, rejected takeoff on runway under maintenance

A China Express Air Canadair CRJ-900, registration B-3363 performing flight G5-2674 (sched. dep Aug 25th, actual dep Aug 26th) from Chongqing to Guiyang (China) with 48 people on board, was accelerating for takeoff from runway 20R at about 02:20L (18:20Z Aug 25th) when tower instructed to reject takeoff. The crew rejected takeoff at about 110 knots but impacted a number of maintenance signs and obstacles causing damage to the right hand main gear and belly of the aircraft.

The aircraft sustained substantial damage and was unable to perform the flight causing a passenger revolt at Chongqing's terminal.

The airline confirmed an impact on departure (suggesting a tail strike), the accident did not cause any injuries, the causes of the accident are being investigated.

A report to China's Civil Aviation Authority stated that Chongqing's runway 02L/20R was to be closed for maintenance at 02:30L also published by NOTAMs, however, workers had started work about 30 minutes early. The aircraft had been cleared to line up runway 20R at 02:18L, received takeoff clearance at 02:20L, at 02:21L about 30 seconds after takeoff clearance tower instructed the aircraft to immediately stop. About two seconds after the stop instruction the crew heard impact sounds. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway and received damage on 6 locations at the belly of the fuselage as well as the right hand main gear as result of impact with ground obstacles. The workers on the runway remained uninjured.

Related NOTAM:

E3816/14 - RWY02L/20R NOT AVBL FOR LANDING AND TAKE-OFF.RWY02L/20R NORTH OF TWY AE AVBL FOR TAXIING. 1830-2230 DLY, 25 AUG 18:30 2014 UNTIL 14 SEP 22:30 2014. CREATED: 25 AUG 07:44 2014

Metars:

ZUCK 251900Z 03001MPS CAVOK 25/21 Q1012 NOSIG

ZUCK 251800Z 09002MPS 9999 FEW050 26/21 Q1012 NOSIG

ZUCK 251700Z 11002MPS 9999 -RA SCT033 26/20 Q1013 NOSIG

ZUCK 251600Z 16002MPS 9999 SCT033 26/21 Q1013 NOSIG

ZUCK 251500Z 14003MPS CAVOK 27/21 Q1013 NOSIG

ZUCK 251400Z VRB01MPS 9999 FEW030 28/21 Q1012 NOSIG

ZUCK 251300Z 07001MPS CAVOK 29/21 Q1012 NOSIG

ZUCK 251200Z 33003MPS CAVOK 29/20 Q1011 NOSIG