Military investigators are looking into a runway excursion at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia that left a CP-140 Aurora heavily damaged.
None of the 17 RCAF personnel aboard the aircraft were injured in the mishap, which occurred during a thunderstorm.
According to the military’s preliminary report, the mishap occurred following an aborted takeoff.
“During takeoff roll just prior to rotate, AC (aircraft commander) called abort, aircraft swerved left, departed [runway] and came to rest in grassy area on the left,” the report says.
The nose gear collapsed and it appears the propellers struck the ground. The RCAF has rated the damage severity a B, which is one step below a complete writeoff. The reason for the abort order hasn’t been released. The aircraft are equipped with both flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
Auroras are among the RCAF’s most expensive aircraft and are used for maritime surveillance along with reconnaissance and tactical intelligence roles.