What happened
While performing a takeoff roll at Preveza-Aktion Airport, an aircraft traveling from Preveza to the Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base in Germany experienced an incident. After passing the V1 speed, the pilot-in-command noted a significant loud noise. Believing the sound was the result of a bird strike, the pilot initiated an emergency braking procedure to abort the takeoff.
Despite the attempt to stop, the aircraft could not halt before the end of the runway. The plane overran the paved surface, collided with a dyke, and eventually settled in a position where it was partially submerged in the sea. There were no injuries reported among the 16 occupants on board.
Findings
- The pilot decided to terminate the takeoff sequence due to the perceived bird strike and subsequent loud noise heard after reaching V1 speed.