The UK's Air Accidents Investigations Branch has been unable to determine what caused a loss of power to a small plane that crashed off the south east coast of Jersey.

The plane came down off the south east coast of the island in November 2022, sparking a search and rescue operation.

Boats searching for the two crew of the ditched airplane. Credit: Marine Traffic

In a report, the AAIB says that the engine lost power as the aircraft was making its return towards the airport.

The pilot tried to regain power several times, but none of the attempts were successful. He told Jersey's Air Traffic Control he would have to ditch the plane.

The AAIB says the plane had enough fuel for up to four hours of flying. It was in the air for 30 minutes.

Investigators say that fuel contamination is unlikely to have been the cause of the power loss, but because the plane sank shortly after impact and was never recovered, we may never know what happened.

However, the AAIB noted that the pilot had been fully- prepared, with a life raft and life jackets in the plane and easily accessible. 

"This accident highlights the importance of prior planning , continuing to 'fly the aircraft' and carrying appropriate safety equipment when flying over water"

Duncan Laisney and Paul Clifford were recovered uninjured by Jersey's RNLI, around an hour after the incident.