Incident Overview
During the takeoff roll, the flight crew experienced reduced visibility due to the glare of the landing lights reflecting off falling snow. This condition led to a deviation of the aircraft approximately 10° to 15° to the left, a deviation of which the crew remained unaware. After rolling for about 750 feet, the aircraft left the north side of the runway. The crew continued the attempt to take off, but adequate speed could not be achieved.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft traveled further, striking objects during a series of impacts, before coming to rest approximately 3,150 feet from the start of the takeoff roll and about 700 feet short of the base of a sharply rising hill. The operation was conducted on behalf of the Département des Transports et des Communications du Québec.
Damage and Occupants
All nine occupants were uninjured. However, the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair as a result of the accident.