Dassault Falcon 2000 – ZS-PKR

Incident Overview

Date: Tuesday 20 September 2022

Aircraft Type: Dassault Falcon 2000

Owner/operator: Pepkor Group

Registration Number: ZS-PKR

Location: Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) – ÿ South Africa

Phase of Flight: Take off

Status: Substantial, repaired

Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 11

Component Affected: Number 2 engine compressor fan blades.Number 2 engine compressor fan blades.

Investigating Agency: CAA S.A.CAA S.A.

Category: Accident

A Dassault Falcon 2000, ZS-PKR, experienced a bird strike during takeoff on runway 16 at Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB), South Africa. At 16:35, the aircraft was cleared for take-off. The first officer (FO) initiated a maneuver to prepare for the takeoff roll, including shifting the pilot flying (PF) to the left-hand tiller. A Spur Winged Goose bird, approximately 15-20 cm in height, appeared to be approaching the runway from the right-side, covered in overgrown grass. The PIC estimated the grass length to be 15-20 cm. A loud thud was heard, causing vibration and steering the aircraft off-center. The PF immediately initiated a rejected take-off (RTO) and applied maximum braking. The PM extended airbrakes and notified the tower of the RTO. After the aircraft stopped, engine parameters were checked, revealing zero fuel flow in number 2 engine. An external inspection identified damaged compressor fan blades and fractured blades penetrating the fuselage, approximately 15 cm in front of the baggage compartment. The probable cause was the No.2 engine being slowed to zero due to the bird strike.A Dassault Falcon 2000, ZS-PKR, experienced a bird strike during takeoff on runway 16 at Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB), South Africa. At 16:35, the aircraft was cleared for take-off. The first officer (FO) initiated a maneuver to prepare for the takeoff roll, including shifting the pilot flying (PF) to the left-hand tiller. A Spur Winged Goose bird, approximately 15-20 cm in height, appeared to be approaching the runway from the right-side, covered in overgrown grass. The PIC estimated the grass length to be 15-20 cm. A loud thud was heard, causing vibration and steering the aircraft off-center. The PF immediately initiated a rejected take-off (RTO) and applied maximum braking. The PM extended airbrakes and notified the tower of the RTO. After the aircraft stopped, engine parameters were checked, revealing zero fuel flow in number 2 engine. An external inspection identified damaged compressor fan blades and fractured blades penetrating the fuselage, approximately 15 cm in front of the baggage compartment. The probable cause was the No.2 engine being slowed to zero due to the bird strike.

Description

A Dassault Falcon 2000, ZS-PKR, suffered a bird strike during the takeoff run on runway 16 at Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB), South Africa. At 16:35, the aircraft was cleared for take-off. The first part of the take-off roll was uneventful. At 80 kts, the first officer (FO) who was the pilot monitoring (PM) called out the speed and the Pilot Flying (PF) moved his left-hand from the tiller to the control column in preparation to apply back pressure when Vr speed is reached. Shortly thereafter, at a speed of approximately 90-95 kts a bird, likely to be a Spur Winged Goose, was seen getting airborne from the right-side of the runway that was overgrown with grass. The PIC estimated the grass length to be approximately 15-20 centimeters in height. A moment later, the crew heard a loud thud from the right-side of the aircraft, which caused the aircraft to vibrate and subsequently veer off to the right-side of the runway centreline. The PF immediately called for a rejected take-off (RTO). He retarded both throttle levers and applied maximum brakes to stop the aircraft on the remaining runway surface. The PM extended the airbrakes whilst notifying the tower about the RTO. After the aircraft came to a stop, the crew checked the engine parameters and it was noted that the number 2 engine fuel flow indicated zero. Following an external inspection of the aircraft, it was found that several of the number 2 engine compressor fan blades had been damaged, and that some of the fractured compressor blades had penetrated the upper right-side of the fuselage, approximately 15 centimeters in front of the aft pressurized baggage compartment bulkhead. Probable Cause(s) During the take-off roll, the No.2 engine spooled down to zero after suffering substantial damage after a bird flew into the engine; the crew conducted a successful RTO. Contributing Factor Non-appointment of a wild life control officer.