N338CB

On April 20, 1998, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Beech 58, N338CB, registered to Davel Corporation, experienced a loss of directional control while landing at the Vandenberg Airport, Tampa, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 business flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated at 0815 central daylight time, from the Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Jacksonville, Illinois.

The pilot stated that after touchdown on runway 36, about 200 yards down the runway, the airplane veered sharply to the left. He attempted to recover by application of full right rudder and applied left engine throttle. The airplane rolled off the left side of the runway and just before the airplane rolled across a cement drainage ditch, he reduced power on the left engine. The airplane then came to rest on a heading of about 150 degrees with the right main landing gear separated and the nose and left main gears collapsed.

Examination of the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed marks on the runway which indicated where the airplane touched down, rolled, departed the runway onto grass, and where the airplane came to rest. A copy of the inspector's statement is an attachment to this report.

Post accident examination of the left main landing gear wheel assembly revealed no evidence of a flat spot on the tire. The wheel was determined to rotate freely and examination of the wheel bearing revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. All trim settings were found nearly centered, and the nose landing gear steering mechanism was checked with no discrepancies noted. Additionally, all three landing gear tires were inflated.