N400GJ

On May 8, 2002, about 1522 eastern daylight time, a Beech 400, N400GJ, operated by Georgia Jet, was substantially damaged during a bird strike, while departing from the Burke Lakefront Airport, Cleveland, Ohio. The two certificated airline transport pilots were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the positioning flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, destined for the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia.

According to the pilot, a flock of birds were observed sitting on the approach end of runway 6L as the airplane was taxied. When the airplane arrived at the approach end of the runway, the birds fled to the north. The flight was cleared for departure by air traffic control, and the airplane was positioned onto the runway. The flightcrew did not observe any birds on or around the runway, and power was applied for takeoff. As the airspeed increased, the co-pilot called "V1," and immediately alerted the pilot to the presence of birds. The birds began to impact the airplane and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane came to a stop about 100 feet prior to the departure end of the runway.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both the left and right engines.

Further examination of the right engine revealed that a fan blade separated and penetrated the engine cowling. A 2-inch gap was also observed between the engine and the fuselage.