What happened
During the takeoff roll, a twin-engine business jet was positioned approximately 15 feet above the runway surface when a large group of birds entered the aircraft's path from both sides of the runway. Following the encounter, the number two engine experienced a surge accompanied by loud noises, after which the crew observed a total loss of power on the engine's instruments.
As the aircraft continued its climb for roughly 10 seconds, the crew noted a significant decay in the N1 gauge of the number one engine, which dropped below 50 percent. This was followed by the activation of the stall warning horn. In response to the loss of power, the pilot transitioned the aircraft into a landing configuration.
The aircraft touched down on the runway with its landing gear still in the retracted position. The aircraft then overran the runway, collided with a fence, and crossed a roadway before eventually coming to a stop in a cornfield, approximately 1,000 feet from the initial point of ground contact.
Findings
An inspection of both engines following the accident revealed damage and evidence that was consistent with multiple bird ingestions during the takeoff phase.