Shoreham ditching

[Mike Flynn]

Originally Posted by HolyMoley

No, it doesn't. Check out any picture on the web. Old Cherokees didn't have it.

Sorry to correct you but they did.

I am a past owner of PA28.G-LIZI...the very first UK Cherokee imported in 1961,

Luggage locker aft of the door.

[crablab]

Originally Posted by Jay Sata

Sorry to correct you but they did.

I am a past owner of PA52.G-LIZI...the very first UK Cherokee imported in 1961,

Luggage locker aft of the door.

Ditto that. Have flown that aircraft and it most defiantly has the locker! May even have a picture...

EDIT:

I did have a picture

[HolyMoley]

Apologies. Not all Cherokees have a locker. Plenty do not. Including this one!

[skridlov]

Sorry about the crappy mobile phone snap. Owner looked pretty glum.

[crablab]

I'm fairness it doesn't look too badly damaged. The cost will be getting it off the beach methinks.

[memories of px]

flew that at Air South, when the owner LIZI Newman was doing her PPL

[Meldrew]

flew Victor Osca when it was based at Stapleford. Blue and White then if I remember correctly.

[skridlov]

Originally Posted by crablab

I'm fairness it doesn't look too badly damaged. The cost will be getting it off the beach methinks.

The NLG had partially folded back and there was clearly major structural damage in that area but the prop was undamaged (at least I don't recall seeing any). The aircraft had been dragged out of the water the previous night and was either pretty tired before the ditching or else the seawater was already doing its corrosive thing. To get it away - in the couple of meter gap between two beach huts - will require wings off in situ first. There's a path easily wide enough for a truck immediately behind the huts.
I was astonished that they got it down with so little damage. The beach there is quite steep with flat sand only exposed at the bottom of big tides. I'd be pretty surprised if it flew again.
I forgot to compliment the owner on what, in the final analysis, would have to be described as a good landing.