PIPER PA-32R near Hatteras, NC — 2009-12-06

Final reportERA10LA092

Date: 2009-12-06
Location: Hatteras, NC, USA
Airport: HSE
Aircraft: PIPER PA-32R
Registration: N5319J
Category: Airplane
Highest injury: None
Fatalities: 0
Phase of flight: Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that just prior to becoming airborne, a cockpit aural alarm sounded and the manifold pressure was approximately one inch above its maximum limit. He elected to abort the takeoff and applied the brakes. The airplane veered to the left and he concluded that the right brake was not functioning correctly. In response, he attempted to correct the drift using right rudder application. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with sand dunes and vegetation. The reported failure of the right brake was not able to be confirmed and no cause for such a failure was observed.