On March 16, 2000, about 1612 eastern standard time, a Cessna
402C, N251RS, registered to Tropical Transport Services, Inc.,
and operated by Air Sunshine, Inc., as flight 726, a Title 14
CFR Part 135 scheduled domestic passenger flight from Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, to Sarasota, Florida, ran off the runway
and collapsed the landing gear during takeoff from Fort
Lauderdale. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the
time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The
aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-
rated pilot and nine passengers were not injured. The flight was
originating at the time of the accident.  The pilot stated that
during takeoff roll at between 85-90 knots, he heard a "pop"
sound from the right side of the aircraft. The aircraft started
skidding to the right side of the runway. He reduced engine
power and tried to control the aircraft. The aircraft kept
skidding and went off the runway into the grass area. The
aircraft then came to a halt.  The passengers