CHI98LA276

The pilot added full power and began his takeoff roll. Within 150 feet of where the airplane began its roll, the airplane 'veered sharply to the left, although full right rudder was applied.' The pilot said that he had no steering control. A witness observed the airplane roll forward normally for about two to three seconds, then the nose started rotating upward. Immediately, the airplane veered sharply left and continued off of the runway and on to the grass. The airplane's engine was at full power until the ground impact occurred. Prior to the accident, when the airplane was being taxied to the runway, another witness flagged down the pilot and informed him that the airplane's left tire 'appeared to be low on air.' The witness offered to assist the pilot with inflating the tire, but the pilot elected to taxi to the runway instead. Examination of the airplane revealed the left main landing gear tire pressure at 22 psi. The right main landing gear tire pressure was 26 psi. The Beech F33A Pilot Operating Handbook states that normal tire pressure for the main landing gear tires should be in a range of 33 to 40 psi.

On July 25, 1998, at 1435 central daylight time (cdt), a Beech F33A, N350NW, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when on takeoff roll at Lake Lawn Airport, Delavan, Wisconsin, the airplane departed the runway and ran through a snow fence before coming to rest in a corn field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot and three passengers on board the airplane reported no injuries. An individual near the snow fence sustained minor injuries as he attempted to get away from the approaching airplane. The cross- country flight was en route to Lansing, Illinois.

In his written statement, the pilot said that he taxied to the center of runway 36 at Lake Lawn Airport after completing "full checkout procedures." The pilot added full power and began his takeoff roll. Within 150 feet of where the airplane began its roll, the airplane "veered sharply to the left, although full right rudder was applied." The pilot said that he had no steering control.

Prior to the accident, when the airplane was taxiing to the runway, a witness flagged down the pilot to stop and informed him that his left tire "appeared to be low on air." The witness offered to find an air bottle to inflate the tire, and suggested the pilot pull off into the parking area. The pilot taxied on and did not stop.

Another witness observed the airplane from approximately 800 feet away. The witness said that the pilot applied full power while holding the brakes. When the brakes were released, the airplane rolled forward normally for about two to three seconds, and then the nose started rotating upward. Immediately, the airplane veered sharply left and continued off of the runway and on to the grass. The airplane's engine was at full power until the ground impact occurred.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane rested upright in a cornfield approximately 136 feet west of runway 36 at Lake Lawn Airport. The airplane was canted nose down approximately 25 degrees and was oriented on a 315 degree magnetic heading. The nose gear strut and tire were bent aft and broken off. The lower engine cowling and bottom forward fuselage were crushed upward and aft. The bottom portion of the firewall was bent aft. The top half of the firewall was buckled forward. The propeller showed torsional bending, chordwise scratches and tip curling. The remainder of the airplane was undamaged. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The airplane's left main landing gear tire was found inflated to 22 pounds per square inch (psi). The right main landing gear tire was inflated to 26 psi. Examination of the engine, brakes, nose wheel steering, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.

The Beech F33A Pilot Operating Handbook states that normal tire pressure for the main landing gear tires should be in a range of 33 to 40 psi.