Beech Aircraft Corp 1900D, VH-IMH

The Beech 1900D (B1900) accelerated to V1 (111 kts), when the
crew noticed a flock of wood ducks crossing their path. At the same
time there was a loss of aircraft performance so the crew rejected
the take-off. The aircraft was brought to a stop without further
incident.

Six wood ducks had impacted the aircraft in the vicinity of the
right engine and caused extensive damage to the right engine and
wing. Minor damage was evident in the left engine oil cooler.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority required airports handling
aircraft of thirty seats capacity or larger to have a recorded bird
hazard management program. At the time of the occurrence, Cooma
airport had regular scheduled services by aircraft that did not
exceed nineteen persons, however during the ski season aircraft
with a capacity exceeding thirty persons operated into Cooma.

Bird dispersal control had been applied early in the morning,
approximately twelve hours before the B1900's departure.

Analysis of bird hazard reports since January 2001, indicated an
increase in bird numbers at Cooma airport. The airport operator had
implemented a bird hazard management program but records showed
that the program was not being applied consistently.