ANC95LA122

The certificated commercial pilot and a passenger were departing a hard surfaced runway in an amphibious airplane for an on-demand charter flight. During the takeoff roll, the airplane lurched to the right. The pilot applied the left brake to maintain directional control of the airplane without any response. He aborted the takeoff, but was unable to prevent the airplane from ground looping to the right. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the left wheel rim was broken near the hub bolt holes. A metallurgical examination of the wheel did not reveal any evidence of fatigue. All fracture surfaces exhibited evidence of overload.

On July 31, 1995, at 1840 Alaska daylight time, an amphibious Grumman G-44, N17481, crashed during takeoff at Kodiak airport, Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross- country on-demand passenger flight to Danger Bay, Alaska, under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Peninsula Airways Inc., received substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Company VFR flight following procedures were in effect.

The operator reported that the pilot was departing on runway 07. During the takeoff run, the pilot noticed a loud noise and the airplane lurched to the right. To maintain directional control of the airplane, the pilot aborted the takeoff and attempted to apply the left brake without any response. The pilot was unable to prevent the airplane from ground looping to the right. The left wing float and tail wheel were damaged. The left wingtip contacted the runway and was bent upward. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the left wheel rim was broken near the bolt holes.

The wheel rim was submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board's Materials Laboratory for examination. The examination did not reveal any evidence of fatigue. All fracture surfaces exhibited evidence of overload.