CEN16LA178

The pilot stated that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left and he then reduced engine power and applied full right rudder to correct. The airplane exited the runway and struck airport lighting, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot indicated a crosswind of about nine knots was reported about the time of the takeoff. Postaccident examination of the nose landing gear assembly revealed that the bolt that attached the nose landing gear retraction link to the nose gear truss assembly was missing. The bolt holes were intact and not deformed, consistent with the bolt exiting the holes because the nut was no longer retaining the bolt, rather than the bolt shearing in place. According to the manufacturer, it was possible that without the bolt, the nose wheel could be allowed to turn suddenly, and that the pilot's steering inputs would be ineffective. The investigation could not determine where or when the bolt was liberated from the nose landing gear.

On May 10, 2016, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K airplane, N57535, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion during takeoff on runway 19 at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK), near Akron, Ohio. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to Collier Aviation LLC and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating from CAK at the time of the accident.According to the pilot, the airplane veered to the left during the takeoff roll as the airplane accelerated to takeoff speed. He reduced engine power and applied full right rudder. The airplane exited the runway and struck airport lighting where it sustained substantial wing and fuselage damage. At 1351, the recorded weather at CAK was: Wind 100 degrees at 9 knots; visibility 8 statute miles; sky condition scattered clouds 6,500 feet, broken clouds 10,000, broken clouds 22,000 feet; temperature 19 degrees C; dew point 13 degrees C; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane wreckage. An inspection and operational check of the nose wheel steering and brake system was conducted with no mechanical defects found. However, during the inspection of the nose wheel well area, a missing bolt was discovered, which attaches the nose landing gear retraction link to the nose gear truss assembly. The brake system was also inspected and appeared to be functioning properly. The airplane manufacturer's safety representative was asked if the missing bolt would cause the nose wheel to castor into the wind on a takeoff roll and he indicated that he did not believe it would allow the wheel to castor if the bolt fell out. The steering/rudder push pull rods should prevent the wheel from moving either direction, but it is possible with that one element missing to cause a sudden turn of the nose wheel. The manufacturer's illustrated parts catalogue was reviewed and the missing bolt specification indicated it was an AN6-14A bolt. The missing nut specification indicated it was an AN363-624 nut. The AN6-14A bolt is a 3/8 inch and 24 thread-per-inch pitch bolt with an undrilled shank. The AN363-624 nut is a 3/8 inch and 24 thread-per-inch pitch metal stop nut. A review of photos of the holes associated with this bolt revealed that the holes were circular and were not deformed or oval shaped. Airport operations personnel swept the runway and taxiway with brooms after the incident and they did not find any loose bolts. The investigation could not determine where or when the bolt was liberated from its nose landing gear.