N5257Y

On June 17, 1994, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23- 250B, N5257Y, veered off a private airstrip in Kent, Ohio, during the takeoff roll and collided with objects and water. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that a thorough 1.5 hour preflight was accomplished. He stated that this flight was the first flight since the airplane had received an annual inspection. The pilot stated that he did a run-up and initiated the takeoff roll. He said that during the takeoff roll, at rotation speed, the airplane veered to the left and departed the airstrip.

Post accident examination of the accident area revealed the airplane departed the runway left of the centerline and collided with a dog house and water hole. The airplane came to rest on the edge of the water hole partially submerged.

Further examination revealed the nose gear and the right and left main gear were separated from the airplane. The rudder trim indicator was in the neutral position and the rudder pedals were indicating a full left rudder position. The airplane came to rest leaning to the right and the rudder was in the full right position. The fuselage section under the pilot's rudder pedals was damaged and hindered the movement of the rudder control cables. No rudder system anomalies were found.

The airplane's left engine, propeller, and governor were sent to their manufacturer for examination. The engine was put in a test stand and functioned with no anomalies noted. The propeller and governor were disassembled and no anomalies were noted.