Light aircraft ditches off Rye, Sussex

[Super VC-10]

A light aircraft has ditched off Rye, East Sussex. TV reporting 4 POB.

Light aircraft ditches into sea off Rye Harbour - BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-36999784)

[Icare9]

Now believed to be from a "local" flying club with just pilot aboard.
At about 4:30 a Cessna 172 type with spatted undercarriage made at least 2 circuits of Battle. No idea if related but it was a little lower and 2 rapid overflights seemed unusual..
Probably totally unrelated, but it drew my attention walking to my car, as no sooner had it flown over me than it seemed to be overhead again.

[Mike Flynn]

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward. A Sussex police spokesman said: “Just after 5pm on Saturday, we received a report from a member of the public that a light aircraft had been seen to go into the sea about half a mile off Winchelsea beach. A coastguard helicopter has been searching the area, and we are in contact with them.

“Initial reports suggest that the aircraft comes from a local Aero Club and that the man flying it was the sole occupant. Some wreckage which is believed to be from aircraft has been found washed ashore at Winchelsea beach.”

Sky reportingA search for the pilot of a light aircraft that crashed into the sea off East Sussex has been called off for the night.

The plane is understood to have gone into the water about half a mile from Rye Harbour and close to Winchelsea Beach.

It was initially thought that up to four people were on board, but authorities now say they believe the pilot was the only person on the aircraft.

The plane is thought to have ditched just after 5pm. Wreckage has already washed up on shore and police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Two coastguard helicopters and the two lifeboat crews were initially involved in the search bu have now been stood down after failing to find anyone.

A statement from the RNLI said: "Rye Harbour and Dungeness RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch this afternoon by HM Coastguard following reports of a light aircraft which ditched into the sea off Rye Harbour. Reports indicated there was one person on board.

"Rye Harbour RNLI's inshore lifeboat launched at 5.23pm and Dungeness RNLI's all-weather lifeboat launched around five minutes later.

"Both lifeboats and their volunteer crews conducted searches in an area between Winchelsea beach and Pett Level beach.

"HM Coastguard has now stood down the search and the lifeboats have returned to their respective stations. The lifeboats will be made ready to re-launch if requested by HM Coastguard.

"Also involved in the search this evening were Rye Harbour and Dungeness Coastguard Rescue Teams and two Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters."

A Coastguard spokeswoman said: "UK Coastguard coordinated a search for a light aircraft which ditched into the sea half a mile from Rye Harbour in East Sussex.

"The alarm was raised at 5.05pm and reports indicated one person was on board the aircraft.

"The aircraft and pilot have not been found..."

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Initial reports suggest that the aircraft comes from a local Aero Club and that the man flying it was the sole occupant.

"Some wreckage which is believed to be from aircraft has been found washed ashore at Winchelsea Beach."

The Air Accident Investigation Branch will be carrying out an investigation

[Jetblu]

A PA28 from Lydd, allegedly.

Rye plane crash: No further searches for missing pilot (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/37002536)

[Viscount812]

Aviation Safety Network is reporting the aircraft as G-CDER, a PA28 Warrior of Lydd Aero Club, operated as part of a syndicate.

[DeeCee]

Any more news? Did they find the plane and the pilot?

[SFCC]

Yes. It was raised yesterday