Accident Details
On 9 January 2001 at 1748 UTC, a Piper PA-28R-201T (registration G-SHUG) was conducting a private night flight from Wycombe Air Park, Buckinghamshire. The pilot, holding a Private Pilot's Licence with IMC and Night Rating, had been cleared for take-off on Runway 25. The runway had a dry asphalt surface with a published take-off run of 735 metres. The reported surface wind was 050°/05 kt, visibility 8 km, and QNH 1012 hPa.
Sequence of Events
Late in the take-off run, after crossing the intersection with Runway 17/35, the pilot noticed a reduction in engine power. He decided to abort the take-off, closed the throttle, and applied maximum braking. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway surface, skidded on the grass, and the right main landing gear leg collapsed. The aircraft came to rest approximately 40 metres beyond the threshold of Runway 07. Both occupants, wearing lap and diagonal seatbelts, were uninjured and vacated the aircraft. Airfield fire and rescue services arrived promptly, and local fire and rescue services were also alerted.
Inspection Findings
An engineering inspection by a local maintenance organisation identified a split in the rubber connection hose leading from the turbocharger as the cause of the loss of engine power. The subsequent overrun was partly due to the tailwind in the direction of take-off.
Damage
Damage was limited to the right main landing gear and minor airframe damage.