History of the Flight
The pilot, who held a Private Pilot's Licence with 141 hours total (66 on type), rented the aircraft to take two friends and a child on a local sightseeing flight. He typically flew a different aircraft type, but that aircraft was unavailable due to maintenance. He had not flown the PA-28 for seven months.
After completing pre-flight checks and starting the engine, the pilot received taxi clearance to the holding point for Runway 24. Upon arrival, he performed power checks but was informed the runway had changed to Runway 02. He then turned 180° on the taxiway and proceeded to the holding point for Runway 02, where he repeated the power checks before advising the tower he was ready for departure.
Cleared for takeoff, the pilot verified the wind was within limits and began the takeoff roll. At 70 KIAS, he gently pulled back on the control column. As the nose pitched up to about 3°, a gust of wind caused the aircraft to yaw left. The pilot attempted to push the nosewheel back onto the runway by pushing the control column, but the aircraft departed the runway to the left.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft bounce across the grass, possibly becoming airborne momentarily due to the rough surface. They also noted the aircraft seemed to continue at high speed with no apparent power reduction. Eventually it slowed, but the pilot struggled to stop before striking undergrowth and coming to rest in a ditch at low speed. None of the four occupants were injured, and they exited the aircraft without assistance.
Meteorology
Weather reports from Shoreham on the day of the accident showed the wind at 0950 hrs was 290° at 13 kt, and at 1050 hrs was 310° at 8 kt. This would have resulted in a maximum crosswind component of 13 kt from the left on Runway 02. Showers were forecast and present in the vicinity of the airport.
Analysis
The pilot was unable to keep the aircraft on the runway during the final stages of the takeoff roll. With showers nearby, he may have encountered an unexpected gust of wind, which combined with the crosswind from the left, causing the aircraft to yaw left and leave the runway. Once the wheels were on the grass, the pilot could not stop the aircraft before it struck undergrowth and came to rest in a ditch.
Although the pilot had recent flying experience, he had not flown this aircraft type for seven months and may have underestimated the rudder input needed to compensate for the crosswind.
Conclusion
The aircraft left the runway, probably due to the effects of the crosswind. The pilot and passengers were unhurt.