According to data obtained by AvioRadar, on 30 September 2024, a dog caused damage to the cargo hold of an Airbus A319 (registration 9A-CTL) during Croatia Airlines’ regular flight OU486 from Zagreb to Stockholm.
Following regulations, the dog was being transported in the cargo hold but managed to escape from its cage shortly after boarding. While taxiing, the crew heard the sound of the dog running in the cargo area, prompting the plane to return to the stand. The passengers were then disembarked and transferred to another aircraft. Upon inspecting the damage caused by the dog in the luggage compartment, the airline decided to withdraw the aircraft from service as a precaution, sending it for a technical inspection and replacing the damaged parts.
In response to AvioRadar’s inquiry regarding the incident, Croatia Airlines issued the following statement:
“An investigation into the details and circumstances that led to the incident involving the dog in the baggage compartment of flight OU486 from Zagreb to Stockholm on September 30 is currently underway.
We can confirm that the company followed both Croatian and international regulations, as well as internal procedures for animal transport, in preparation for the dog’s journey on flight OU486.
Due to damage sustained in the aircraft’s cargo hold, we made the precautionary decision to ground the plane and send it for a technical inspection. A replacement aircraft transported the passengers to their final destination later that same evening.“
At the time of writing, the Airbus A319 in question remains grounded.
