Runway excursion Accident Swearingen SA226-AT Merlin IV N120SC,

ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 321781

Date:	Tuesday 5 February 2008
Time:	13:20
Type:	Swearingen SA226-AT Merlin IV
Owner/operator:	McNeely Charter Service
Registration:	N120SC
MSN:	AT-067
Year of manufacture:	1978
Total airframe hrs:	21600 hours
Engine model:	Garrett TPE331-10UA
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage:	Substantial, repaired
Category:	Accident
Location:	Ankeny Regional Airport, IA (IKV) - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Cargo
Departure airport:	Ankeny Regional Airport, IA (IKV/KIKV)
Destination airport:	Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot reported that it was snowing during his preflight activities and takeoff roll. A snowplough operator stated that he had cleared approximately four passes on either side of the runway centerline when the accident airplane taxied onto the runway. The pilot back-taxied on the departure runway to determine how much snow covered the runway. During the subsequent takeoff roll, at approximately 80 knots, the left main landing gear encountered some deeper snow that caused the airplane to swerve left off of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct the left swerve with right rudder input, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged when its nose landing gear impacted a snowbank.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the snow on the runway and the snowbank."

Accident investigation: