Fatal ditching of Piper Cherokee in Liverpool Bay

Casualties unknown • Offshore, in Liverpool Bay, 2 nm north of Wallasey, Merseyside, GB

A private flight ended in tragedy when a Piper Cherokee ditched in Liverpool Bay, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

On 4 July 2004, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BJYG, departed Liverpool Airport for a local flight. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot issued a 'PAN' call to Air Traffic Control, reporting a loss of power and altitude while positioned off Wallasey. Shortly after, a 'MAYDAY' call was broadcast, indicating that the aircraft was ditching.

The aircraft entered the water approximately 2 nm north of Wallasey and rapidly submerged. Although two training aircraft in the vicinity observed the impact site, the aircraft could not be seen. Despite the rapid deployment of lifeboats, the wreckage was not located until the tide fell. Divers later recovered the bodies of the pilot and the passenger, both of whom had sustained two fatalities due to drowning following the impact.

The investigation

Investigators examined the aircraft after it was recovered from the seabed. The wreckage showed extensive damage, including a collapsed nose gear and a separated right wing, consistent with a high-force impact at a nose-down attitude. The engine was found to be under no power at the time of impact.

Prior to the flight, the pilot had noted a fuel sample containing significant water and black debris, which he had attempted to drain from the aircraft. Laboratory analysis of this sample confirmed the presence of water and debris, though the source of the contamination remained unknown. The investigation also reviewed the engine, which showed no signs of mechanical failure, and examined meteorological data, noting that conditions were consistent with a risk of carburettor icing.

Findings

  • The aircraft was unable to reach land due to being out of gliding range at the time of engine failure.
  • The impact with the sea was severe, likely due to an excessive touchdown speed or an aerodynamic stall.
  • The pilot may have lacked the capacity to assess the optimal landing direction relative to wind and swell due to the high-workload emergency.
  • The aircraft's stall warning system was non-functional at the time of impact because the circuit breaker had tripped.

Probable cause

The engine failure occurred while the aircraft was out of gliding range of land, making a ditching inevitable. The severity of the impact, which led to the fatalities, was likely caused by an excessive touchdown speed or an aerodynamic stall.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2004-07-04 Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II accident near Offshore, in Liverpool Bay, 2 nm north of Wallasey, Merseyside, GB?

A private flight ended in tragedy when a Piper Cherokee ditched in Liverpool Bay, resulting in two fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-07-04 involved a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BJYG, at Offshore, in Liverpool Bay, 2 nm north of Wallasey, Merseyside, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failure occurred while the aircraft was out of gliding range of land, making a ditching inevitable. The severity of the impact, which led to the fatalities, was likely caused by an excessive touchdown speed or an aerodynamic stall.

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