N5892T

On July 23, 1998, about 1305 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N5892T, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Kenai Municipal Airport, Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated airline transport pilot, and the three passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was returning to Anchorage, Alaska, where it had departed about 0930.

In his written statement to the NTSB dated July 29, 1998, the pilot reported that just after receiving a clearance for takeoff, the tower operator requested that he "expedite" the departure due to inbound traffic. He said that during the departure roll, and as the airplane was nearing takeoff speed, the airplane veered uncontrollably to the left, went off the left side of the runway, and ground looped to the left. During the ground loop, the right wing, and aileron struck the ground and sustained substantial damage.

The closest official weather observation station is Kenai. On July 23, 1998, at 1247, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 017 degrees (magnetic) at 5 knots; visibility, 70 statute miles; clouds, 4,000 feet scattered, 1,500 feet broken; temperature, 66 degrees F; dew point, 46 degrees F; altimeter, 29.76 inHg.

The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.