Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 1 January 2004
Aircraft Type: Beechcraft A100 King Air
Owner/operator: Thunder Airlines
Registration Number: C-GFKS
Location: Terrace Bay Airport, ON (YTJ) – ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Substantial, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Nose gearNose gear
Category: Accident
A Beech A100 aircraft, operated by Thunder Airlines, experienced a significant incident during a medevac flight to Thunder Bay Airport. The aircraft struck a four-foot high windrow of snow on takeoff, resulting in loss of directional control and an exit from the runway. The aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear and was substantially damaged. A NOTAM regarding runway windrows was issued, highlighting snow conditions.A Beech A100 aircraft, operated by Thunder Airlines, experienced a significant incident during a medevac flight to Thunder Bay Airport. The aircraft struck a four-foot high windrow of snow on takeoff, resulting in loss of directional control and an exit from the runway. The aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear and was substantially damaged. A NOTAM regarding runway windrows was issued, highlighting snow conditions.

Description

C-GFKS, a Beech A100 aircraft operated by Thunder Airlines, was departing runway 25 at Terrace Bay Airport, ON (YTJ) on a medevac flight to Thunder Bay Airport, ON (YQT). During the takeoff roll, the left wing struck a four foot high windrow (snowbank). The pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and it exited the south side of runway 25 at the midpoint. The aircraft came to rest approximately 30 feet off the side of the runway. There were no injuries, but the nose gear was sheared off and the aircraft was substantially damaged. A NOTAM had been issued for the runway stating that there were windrows four feet high, 10 feet inside the runway lights on both sides of the runway. The NOTAM also stated that the cleared portion of the runway was covered with ¬ inch of loose snow over 60 percent compacted snow and 40 percent ice patches and that braking action was fair to poor. The takeoff was being conducted at dusk in conditions of poor lighting and contrast. Crosswind was not a factor.

Primary Cause

Windrow strike during takeoff.Windrow strike during takeoff.

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