N9772Z

On July 14, 1996, at 1250 eastern daylight time, a Beech C-45H, N9772Z, operated by Skydive Michigan, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped during the takeoff roll in Marshall, Michigan. The pilot and ten passengers reported no injury. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 parachute flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file.

The pilot reported that he checked the weather via DUATS and a personal observation. He reported that the winds were from 260 degrees at 10 knots. During the takeoff roll on runway 28, at about 60 miles per hour, he "began to bring the tail up for a wheel takeoff.... The airplane began to veer to the left." He "attempted to get the airplane straight with right rudder and right brake. The airplane ran off of the runway and ground looped on top of a hill." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and empennage. He shut down the engines and "everyone" egressed the airplane uneventfully. The pilot reported no evidence of engine or propeller malfunction.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who examined the accident site and the airplane, reported that the airplane departed the left side of the runway. His examination of skid marks on the runway revealed that the right side skid mark was "more pronounced" than the left side skid mark. He reported no evidence of flight control or brake malfunction.