Pilot loses directional control of twin tail dragger on takeoff roll.

Attributes
ACN	309961
Time
Date	199506
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : sat
State Reference	TX
Altitude	agl bound lower : 0 agl bound upper : 0
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : tmb
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Twin Beech 18
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	climbout : takeoff
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 40 flight time total : 1400 flight time type : 75
ASRS Report	309961
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : local
Qualification	controller : non radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe other anomaly other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa other other : unspecified cockpit
Resolutory Action	none taken : unable none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Takeoff as PIC of C45H. The tail wheel lock did not engage. On takeoff the aircraft ground looped to the left departed the runway (12R) into the grass. There was no damage to the aircraft or injuries. The pilot was able to taxi back to the FBO to inspect the problem. Repairs were made, the aircraft proceeded without any other problems.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PLT LOSES DIRECTIONAL CTL OF TWIN TAIL DRAGGER ON TKOF ROLL.

Narrative: TKOF AS PIC OF C45H. THE TAIL WHEEL LOCK DID NOT ENGAGE. ON TKOF THE ACFT GND LOOPED TO THE L DEPARTED THE RWY (12R) INTO THE GRASS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ACFT OR INJURIES. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO TAXI BACK TO THE FBO TO INSPECT THE PROB. REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE ACFT PROCEEDED WITHOUT ANY OTHER PROBS.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.