CHI98LA221

Factual narrative

On June 24, 1998, at 1209 central daylight time, a Cessna T310R, N5255C, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted airport signs, following a loss of control during takeoff from runway 30R (4397' x 50', concrete, dry) at the Palwaukee Municipal Airport, Wheeling, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight had an instrument flight plan on file. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with the intended destination of Westmoreland County Airport, Latrobe, Pennsylvania. According to the pilot's written statement, he was cleared for takeoff on runway 30R. The aircraft accelerated down the centerline to approximately 85 knots when the pilot started to rotate. The pilot stated that at rotation the aircraft began to drift off the right side of the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff, closed the throttles, and applied brake pressure. The aircraft impacted two airport signs before coming to a stop. The pilot stated that he then contacted the tower and request to taxi back to the ramp. The aircraft was able to taxi to the ramp without assistance. Post accident investigation show that there was substantial damage to the nose section of the aircraft. The aircraft also suffered minor damage to the left wing-tip tank, left cowl flap, left engine nacelle, and one of the de-ice boots on the left propeller. Winds reported at the Palwaukee Airport, 16 minutes prior to the accident, were from 210 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented or minimized had "...I closed the throttles sooner when struck by the gust and pushed my nose gear back on the ground to try and regain some directional control." The pilot stated that he was cleared for takeoff on runway 30R. As the pilot began his rotation at 85 knots the airplane began to drift off the right side of the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff, closed the throttles, and applied brake pressure. The aircraft impacted two airport signs before coming to a stop. The pilot stated that he then contacted the tower and taxied the airplane to the ramp without assistance. Post accident investigation show that there was substantial damage to the nose section of the aircraft. The winds reported at the airport, 16 minutes prior to the accident, were from 210 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot reported the accident could have been avoid or minimized had he closed the throttles sooner when struck by the gust of wind and had he pushed the nose of the airplane back on the ground to try and regain directional control. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12