| Crash location | 39.908889°N, 105.117223°W |
| Nearest city | Broomfield, CO
39.920541°N, 105.086650°W 1.8 miles away |
| Tail number | N3278K |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 30 Aug 2009 |
| Aircraft type | Warner Lewis Steen |
| Additional details: | None |
The pilot said that during the takeoff roll on runway 29R, at approximately 35 mph, the airplane veered hard to the left. He tried to regain control by applying full right brake and aileron and reducing power but to no avail. The airplane departed the left side of the runway. The right wing struck PAPI (precision approach path indicator) lights and the airplane came to a halt southeast of taxiway A2.
Post-accident examination by a mechanic and an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed an internal mechanical failure of the left wheel. The wheel seized and the tire rolled off its rim. Sideloads caused the right main landing gear to fail.
The pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to an internal mechanical failure of the left wheel that caused the wheel to seize.