At 1115 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a rejected takeoff. Instrument conditions prevailed. The Airline Transport pilot and four passengers were not injured. The pilot later reported that, upon reaching approximately 75 knots during the takeoff roll, he felt a “surge” from the left engine. He noted that the “surging continued and positive directional control could not be regained,” at which point he closed the throttles and rejected the takeoff. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway and impacted an airport sign, causing the nose landing gear to collapse.
