Piper PA-28R-200 ditched off Guernsey following engine power loss

Casualties unknown • Approx 1nm northeast from Lihou Island, off northwest Guernsey, GB

A private flight involving a Piper PA-28R-200 ended in a ditching near Lihou Island after the engine suffered a sudden loss of power.

What happened

On 23 July 2001, a Piper PA-28R-200, registration G-BAAZ, was conducting a private flight from Liverpool to Guernsey. Following a diversion to Exeter due to fog, the aircraft departed again the following day after a series of maintenance attempts to resolve a persistent magneto issue. During the flight over the sea, approximately 12 miles from Guernsey, the engine began to run extremely roughly, characterized by significant speed fluctuations and a loss of power.

As the aircraft descended, the pilot notified Air Traffic Control and instructed the passengers to don their life jackets. To prepare for the impact, the landing gear override was engaged to prevent automatic deployment. The aircraft was ditched, wheels up and without flaps, into a mild swell near Lihou Island. While the aircraft remained upright, the deceleration caused the pilot and the front passenger to strike their faces against the aircraft interior, resulting in minor injuries for both the pilot and one passenger. The third occupant, a rear passenger, sustained no injuries. The crew and passengers successfully evacuated to a wing-mounted dinghy before the aircraft sank.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the sequence of engine malfunctions and the circumstances leading to the ditching. Investigators noted that the pilot had previously experienced similar engine issues during a flight to Exeter the day prior. Although a new right magneto had been installed to rectify the problem, the engine failed during the flight to Guernsey. Because the aircraft was not recovered from the sea, a physical examination of the engine to determine the exact cause of the power loss was not possible.

Findings

  • The engine experienced a sudden and severe loss of power during the descent.
  • The pilot was unable to restore power using the mixture control, fuel pump, or by changing fuel tanks.
  • The engine power loss prevented the aircraft from reaching land.
  • The pilot did not don his life jacket prior to the ditching due to the high workload of managing the emergency.
  • The passengers had donned their life jackets at approximately 500 feet, but the pilot's focus remained on controlling the aircraft.
  • The occupants had not worn their life jackets for the duration of the flight because the rubberized vests were considered uncomfortable and hot.

Probable cause

The engine suffered a sudden loss of power during the descent, leading to the ditching; the exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined as the aircraft was not recovered.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2001-07-23 PIPER PA-28R-200 accident near Approx 1nm northeast from Lihou Island, off northwest Guernsey, GB?

A private flight involving a Piper PA-28R-200 ended in a ditching near Lihou Island after the engine suffered a sudden loss of power.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-07-23 involved a PIPER PA-28R-200, registration G-BAAZ, at Approx 1nm northeast from Lihou Island, off northwest Guernsey, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine suffered a sudden loss of power during the descent, leading to the ditching; the exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined as the aircraft was not recovered.

Loading the flight search…