On 5 Feb 2008, a Swearingen SA-226AT operated by McNeely Charter Service, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Ankeny, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the snow on the runway and the snowbank. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot reported snow during preflight and takeoff. During takeoff roll at about 80 knots, the left main gear hit deeper snow, causing a left swerve. Despite corrective input, the airplane exited the runway and its nose gear struck a snowbank, resulting in substantial damage.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that it was snowing during preflight activities and the takeoff roll. According to a snowplow operator, approximately four passes had been cleared on either side of the runway centerline when the accident airplane taxied onto the runway.
Sequence of Events
The pilot back-taxied on the departure runway to assess the amount of snow covering the surface. During the subsequent takeoff roll, at approximately 80 knots, the left main landing gear encountered deeper snow, which caused the airplane to swerve left of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct the left swerve by applying right rudder input, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage when its nose landing gear impacted a snowbank.