N152DG

On July 20, 1997, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N152DG, veered off the runway during takeoff and collided with a fence at the Arcadia Municipal Airport, Arcadia, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The pilot who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was departing at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll on the grass strip, at about 50 knots he lost control of the airplane and struck a fence causing the airplane to flip over on its back. He further stated that there was nothing wrong with the airplane. However, close examination of the nose wheel assembly by an FAA Inspector found that the right hand steering linkage had separated.