N195AB

On November 21, 2006, at 1742, eastern standard time, a Cessna 190, N195AB, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collapsed a left main landing gear on take off roll at Lovell Field, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The commercial pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident on November 21, 2006.

The pilot stated he obtained taxi clearance to runway 02. He completed an engine run up and no anomalies were noted. He contacted tower for clearance to take off. The controller informed him to hold short for a regional jet on final approach. The regional jet landed, the controller informed the pilot the winds were 360 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 19 knots, provided a wake turbulence caution for the landing jet, and cleared the pilot for take off.

The pilot taxied the airplane into position and began his take off roll by adding full power. During the take off roll the tail of the airplane went to the right and the nose of the airplane went to the left. The pilot applied right rudder to correct and the airplane was slow to the correction. The pilot reduced power and the airplane moved back to the right. Before the airplane reached centerline of the runway, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane went to the right and the left wing began to dip. The left main landing gear separated and the airplane came to a complete stop on runway centerline. The pilot stated, "I believe the wake turbulence generated by the landing regional jet was transmitted back down the runway by the prevailing wind conditions, and the effect of the wake turbulence on the aircraft overrode my appropriate directional control inputs."