Background
The aircraft, a Piper PA-32-300 registered G-BADO, had been flown to Meppershall Airfield on 28 October for an annual inspection and new avionics installation. The pilot returned to collect it on 25 November, but it was not ready. During that visit, he checked the runway condition, finding it firm underfoot, and estimated the takeoff run available (TORA) to be 740 yards, about half the distance he calculated he would require.
Sequence of Events
When the pilot returned at approximately 1430 hrs on 27 November, the aircraft was ready and a ground run had been performed. He carried out a preflight check and started the engine. Almost immediately, a considerable amount of smoke appeared in the cockpit. The pilot shut down the engine and vacated the aircraft. The source of the smoke was traced to a trapped cable, which was repaired.
By the time the repair was completed, it was night. Although the runway was unlit, the pilot decided it would be safe to take off using the illumination from the aircraft's landing light.
At about 1715 hrs, he backtracked and lined up on Runway 20. The grass surface was wet, and the wind was 180º/10 kt with no other significant weather. He turned down the cockpit lighting and applied full power.
Accident
Although the pilot believed he was on the centreline, the aircraft was deviating to the left. The left wing tip struck the hedge to the left of the runway. The tip tank was ruptured, and a fire started in the hedge. The left wing was torn off, and the aircraft inverted before coming to rest in the road on the far side of the hedge.
Aftermath
The pilot selected the master switch off and vacated the aircraft through the windscreen, as the door had jammed closed. He was wearing lap and diagonal upper torso restraint and was uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.
Pilot's Opinion
In a full and frank report, the pilot opined that the accident was caused by his attempt to take off at night from an unlit runway in an aircraft with only a single centre light.