Introduction
On May 10, 2016, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K airplane, registration N57535, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion while taking off from runway 19 at 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 operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating from CAK.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, as the airplane accelerated to takeoff speed during the takeoff roll, it veered to the left. He reduced engine power and applied full right rudder. The airplane exited the runway and struck airport lighting, sustaining substantial wing and fuselage damage.
Weather Conditions
At 1351, the recorded weather at CAK was: wind 100 degrees at 9 knots; visibility 8 statute miles; sky condition scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, broken clouds at 10,000 feet, and broken clouds at 22,000 feet; temperature 19°C; dew point 13°C; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury.
Inspection Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane wreckage. An inspection and operational check of the nose wheel steering and brake system revealed no mechanical defects. However, during inspection of the nose wheel well area, a missing bolt was discovered. This bolt attaches the nose landing gear retraction link to the nose gear truss assembly. The brake system appeared to be functioning properly.
The airplane manufacturer's safety representative indicated that he did not believe the missing bolt would allow the nose wheel to castor if it fell out, noting that the steering/rudder push-pull rods should prevent movement. But he added it was possible with that one element missing to cause a sudden turn. The manufacturer's illustrated parts catalogue specified the missing bolt as an AN6-14A bolt (3/8 inch, 24 thread-per-inch, undrilled shank) and the missing nut as an AN363-624 nut (3/8 inch, 24 thread-per-inch, metal stop nut).
Review of photos of the holes associated with the bolt showed they were circular and not deformed or oval-shaped. Airport operations personnel swept the runway and taxiway after the incident but did not find any loose bolts. The investigation could not determine where or when the bolt was liberated from its nose landing gear.