Incident
Shortly after reaching cruising level, the pilot of a Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee, registration G-BAJR, noticed a vibration and the engine began to run roughly. The pilot selected full throttle and applied carburettor heat, but these actions did not resolve the loss of power. The aircraft was unable to maintain level flight.
Forced Landing
The pilot focused on making a forced landing. Initially intending to land on a beach, the pilot altered the plan due to the presence of people and instead landed along the water’s edge. The aircraft touched down in shallow water on its main landing gear. Upon contacting the water, the nose gear broke off. The pilot was uninjured and vacated the aircraft unaided.
Aftermath
A subsequent examination of the engine did not conclusively determine the cause of the failure.