Event Description
During the takeoff roll, as the airplane accelerated to between 60 and 70 mph, it unexpectedly veered to the left. The pilot initiated an aborted takeoff, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with a Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) light.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that directional control was lost because the pin connecting the scissor yoke on the nose gear came out during the takeoff roll. He noted that he was the first person to operate the airplane after it was returned to rental service following a landing gear repair. However, after the repair was completed, the airplane had undergone two test flights with no discrepancies reported.
Examination Findings
An FAA inspector examined the nose gear torque links. The inspection revealed signatures indicating that the connecting bolt was installed at the time the links were damaged during the impact. No further information was provided regarding the condition of the bolt or the torque links prior to the event.