Pegasus Airlines flight turns wrong way on Frankfurt Airport runway

A Pegasus Airlines flight turned the wrong way upon entering a runway at Frankfurt am Main International Airport on Tuesday. Paddley Too and Simple Flying both report that the crew corrected the mistake before making any attempt to take off. The flight, designated PC996, was scheduled to travel from Frankfurt to Istanbul. [1][3]

According to Paddley Too, the incorrect turn left the pilots with 1,200 metres of usable runway ahead of them. This was less than half of the takeoff distance they should have had available. Simple Flying reported that an airline spokesperson confirmed the aircraft stopped safely on the runway after making the wrong turn. [1][3]

The crew identified the directional error immediately and coordinated with air traffic control. Simple Flying reported that the flight crew safely vacated the position and later departed in the correct direction. [3]

The aircraft involved in the incident was an Airbus A321neo, according to Paddley Too and Simple Flying. Paddley Too also initially referred to the aircraft as an Airbus A320. [1][3]