What happened
On 1 September 2010, a Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, registration G-BBSM, was conducting a private flight from Donaueschingen-Villingen, Germany, to Hardwick, England. While cruising at 6,000 feet in visual meteorological conditions, the pilot noticed a burning smell and smoke entering the cabin approximately 17 nautical miles from the English coast.
Upon detecting these symptoms, the pilot opened the cabin air vents and the direct vision window to clear the fumes. As the engine began to run roughly and Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) readings increased, the pilot reduced power. Fearing an engine fire, the pilot shut down the engine by closing the throttle and turning off the mixture and fuel selectors.
Despite the possibility of reaching land, the pilot decided to proceed with a planned ditching due to the presence of nearby boats and favorable sea conditions. During the descent, the pilot focused on the approach and wind alignment, which led to the omission of several critical steps, including deploying the flaps and switching off the master and ignition switches.
The aircraft made a wings-level touchdown in the sea, but the impact was violent and caused rapid deceleration. The aircraft settled in a nose-down attitude, and water entered the cabin quickly. Although cables and headset leads initially hindered their exit, the two occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft and deployed their life raft before the plane sank. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Because the Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six was lost at sea, investigators were unable to examine the engine or the airframe to identify the specific source of the smoke or the burning smell.