N7204N

On April 18, 1999, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Beech E33, N7204N, registered to a private individual, struck a runway sign during takeoff at the Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personnel flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time, and was en route to Bossier City, Louisiana.

Airport personnel noticed that an airport sign was down, and saw tire tracks leading to the sign, plus there was a wing step found near the sign. The tire marks continued on the grass and tracked back to the runway. The FAA, Flight Standards District Office, at Orlando, Florida, issued a notice that they were searching for an airplane with a damaged step. The airplane was found at the Marion County Airport, Dunnellon, Florida. The FAA then located the pilot and owner. The pilot said to the FAA, on the takeoff roll the nosewheel lifted off the runway, but the engine lost manifold pressure, and the airplane departed the side of the runway. After hitting the runway sign the flight continued to take off, and departed the area to the destination airport.

The pilot stated, "...on takeoff, we experienced a brief loss of power...a drop in airspeed and a cross wind caused aircraft to blow to the left of runway...aircraft began to stall, upon lowering of nose to prevent stall/crash-we struck runway sign...we did not know that aircraft was damaged until 30 minutes into flight...."

According to the FAA's report, "...PIC [pilot-in-command] upon attempting a takeoff on runway 07...[about 1,000 feet down the runway, the airplane] departed the runway surface [north side] striking a...information sign, then continued the takeoff...landing at Dunnellon, Florida."