PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 600; Flight Crew Type 100
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Excursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors
[I] applied full power for takeoff; [then] applied right rudder as the airspeed increased to counteract the left turning tendencies; but it felt like the pedal moved without the normal resistance. I elected to abort the takeoff; but pressing the right brake pedal did not apply right brake. I attempted to decelerate by placing the throttle to idle position and holding full aft elevator and gently applying even brake pressure; but it seemed only the left brake had any effect. I used the rudder pedals to maintain directional control of the aircraft on the runway but I was unable to bring the aircraft to a complete stop prior to the end of the runway. A runway threshold light was broken by the aircraft's main tire upon going off the end of the runway. I was able to bring the aircraft to a stop by using the parking brake and the left brake pedal. I responded to the Tower's transmission asking me if I required assistance saying that I did. We had the aircraft towed back to its FBO where maintenance personnel determined that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the pedals or brake system; but speculated that right brake had been overheated during the taxi and run up prior to the incident on the takeoff.
During the takeoff roll the pilot of a PA-28 noticed a lack of effectiveness when applying a right rudder correction. The takeoff was aborted; but the limited right brake effectiveness caused the aircraft to contact a runway threshold light and depart the runway surface. Maintenance was unable to find a mechanical problem and speculated that the brake became overheated during taxi and run-up.