Aircraft runway excursion due to tailwinds during take-off

What happened?

A small aircraft left the runway during an attempted take-off with a 13-20 mph tailwind.

At approximately 40mph, the captain aborted the take-off for undetermined reasons.

The aircraft stopped approximately 330metres / 1100feet from the start of the runway in deep snow.

Two passengers were treated for minor injuries at a nearby medical clinic and released.

The small aircraft at the side of the runway and surrounded by snow

Why did it happen?

Crew opted to take off with a tailwind, which increased operational risk

Captain applied full braking and full reverse thrust, causing a yawing moment and loss of directional control - even though there was enough remaining runway to stop safely.

The aircraft did not have anti-lock brakes.

The aviation service provider does not train pilots to apply different techniques for high‐speed and low-speed take-off aborts on varying runway surface conditions.

What did they learn?

Clearly define the conditions when a tailwind take-off can be accomplished.

Provide initial and recurring training on high/low speed abort procedures.

Improve the formal on-boarding process for aviation service providers.

Ask yourself or your crew

How could something like this happen in our aviation operations?

How clear are our conditions for safe aircraft take-offs in tailwinds?

How well do we train aviation crews for take-off abort procedures?

How effective is the on-boarding process for aviation service providers?

What happened?

A small aircraft left the runway during an attempted take-off with a 13-20 mph tailwind.
At approximately 40mph, the captain aborted the take-off for undetermined reasons.
The aircraft stopped approximately 330metres / 1100feet from the start of the runway in deep snow.
Two passengers were treated for minor injuries at a nearby medical clinic and released.
Why did it happen?

Crew opted to take off with a tailwind, which increased operational risk
Captain applied full braking and full reverse thrust, causing a yawing moment and loss of directional control - even though there was enough remaining runway to stop safely.
The aircraft did not have anti-lock brakes.
The aviation service provider does not train pilots to apply different techniques for high‐speed and low-speed take-off aborts on varying runway surface conditions.
What did they learn?

Clearly define the conditions when a tailwind take-off can be accomplished.
Provide initial and recurring training on high/low speed abort procedures.
Improve the formal on-boarding process for aviation service providers.
Ask yourself or your crew

How could something like this happen in our aviation operations?
How clear are our conditions for safe aircraft take-offs in tailwinds?
How well do we train aviation crews for take-off abort procedures?
How effective is the on-boarding process for aviation service providers?