Birdstrike Damage Forces Aborted Takeoff

On May 8 a Beechjet 400 (N400GJ) operated by Georgia Jet was substantially damaged when it struck birds while departing from Runway 6L at Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport. The crew did not see any birds on or around the runway as the jet began its takeoff roll. When the aircraft reached V1, birds hit the airplane and the pilot aborted the takeoff, bringing the Beechjet to a stop about 100 ft before the end of the runway. Inspection revealed substantial damage to both the left and right engines, including a fan blade that separated from the right engine and penetrated the engine cowling. A two-inch gap was also found between the engine and the fuselage.