What happened
On a flight from Montmagny to Montreal/St-Hubert, a Max Aviation Inc. Beechcraft B100, registration C-FSIK, was performing a takeoff from Runway 26 at Montmagny Airport. As the aircraft reached rotation speed of approximately 100 knots, the flight crew encountered a large group of birds—estimated between 100 and 200 gulls—directly ahead on the runway. The collision with the birds caused the left engine to lose power at an altitude of less than 50 feet.
Following the power loss, the aircraft experienced a significant yaw and roll to the left. The crew attempted to maintain control, but the aircraft lost altitude and the left wheel contacted the runway less than 100 feet from the end. The pilot aborted the takeoff, but the aircraft could not be stopped within the remaining pavement. The Beechcraft B100 overran the runway, crossed a ditch, and came to rest in a second ditch approximately 885 feet beyond the runway end. All six occupants—two pilots and four passengers—evacuated safely, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engines and found undeniable evidence of bird ingestion in the left engine, which had led to the power loss. The right engine showed no signs of bird ingestion, with its damage attributed to the ground impact during the overrun.
The investigation also looked into the airport's wildlife management. While a propane-powered cannon was installed at the airport to deter birds, it was non-functional on the day of the accident. Furthermore, investigators noted that a nearby goose and duck farm, located less than 500 metres from the runway, attracts gulls to the area due to feeding practices.
Regarding the aircraft's equipment, the investigation noted that C-FSIK was not equipped with a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). Because of this, investigators were unable to establish the specific communications and actions between the two pilots as the emergency unfolded.
Findings
- The bird strike in the left engine caused a loss of power at a critical phase of flight.
- The aircraft's takeoff configuration (no flaps) and the available runway length meant that even if the engine failure had been anticipated, the required accelerate-stop distance exceeded the available runway.
- The presence of a nearby farm increases the local gull population, making bird strikes a high risk.
- The propane cannon, a primary bird deterrent at the airport, was out of order at the time of the occurrence.
- The lack of a CVR prevented a full understanding of the crew's cockpit coordination during the event.