N711WN

On April 12, 2006, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna L-19, N771WN, registered to and operated by a private owner as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced an on-ground loss of directional control during takeoff roll at a private airstrip near Kenly, North Carolina. The airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from the private airstrip at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that during his initial take off roll he applied full right rudder and gradually advanced the throttle to full power. The pilot stated as full power was attained the aircraft veered to the left, and before he could regain control of the airplane it ground looped. The airplane bounced sideways causing the right main landing gear to separate from the airframe resulting in a propeller strike, and the buckling of the right wing. The pilot reported that during the last annual inspection the tail wheel steering springs and chains were replaced. The pilot conducted four flights after the annual inspection, and noticed that the airplane steered left. The pilot noted the difficulty on each departure but did not return the airplane for an inspection of the tail wheel steering chains. During the inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector, and a review of the US Army maintenance manual revealed all maintenance procedures were accomplished in accordance with the Cessna T.O. 1L-19A-2 paragraph 2-254 to 2-257.