Date:	Monday 28 August 2017
Time:	10:16 UTC
Type:	Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga SP
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	G-RIGH
MSN:	32-46123
Year of manufacture:	1998
Engine model:	Lycoming IO-540-K1G5
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Location:	Faversham Road, Seasalter, near Whitstable, Kent, England -   United Kingdom
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:	France
Investigating agency:	AAIB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga SP: The pilot performed an emergency landing on 28 August 2017, due to engine problems in a field off Faversham Road, Seasalter, near Whitstable, Kent, close to "The Sportsman" public house. The aircraft was en-route to France. All six occupants were injured.

Update: The official AAIB report into the accident was published on 11 January 2018, and the following is an excerpt from that report...

"AAIB investigation to Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP, G-RIGH 28 August 2017
Electrical failure and forced landing in a field, Faversham Road, Seasalter, Kent, 28 August 2017.

In the cruise, during his second flight of the day, the pilot reported that he noticed the alternator light was lit. Attempts to troubleshoot the problem did not resolve it and electrical systems progressively failed, also affecting engine indications. He briefed his passengers and elected to carry out a forced landing in a field. The touchdown was hard and the pilot reported that the right wheel “stuck in the mud” before the landing gear detached. There were no injuries.

In hindsight, the pilot stated that he could have landed safely at an airfield but that the number of problems being presented to him restricted his thinking and mental capacity."

=Nature of Damage sustained to airframe=
Per the AAIB report "Right landing gear detached, propeller bent and right-side skin damage". The aircraft was repaired and was sold on to its next owner (its 5th UK owner) on 21 November 2017

1. AAIB: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a3cc2f8ed915d6be6a8b85d/Piper_PA-32R-301_Saratoga_SP_G-RIGH_01-18.pdf
2. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4830316/Plane-Parbold-forced-land-field-sheep.html
3. http://www.kentonline.co.uk/whitstable/news/six-hurt-as-plane-lands-131199/
4. http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/G-RIGH.html
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasalter

This Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga SP was built in 1998, and was previously registered in the United States as N41272. The aircraft was registered in the UK as G-RIGH on 23 December 1998, and has passed through the hands of six owners since (up to 13 April 2021). The same aircraft had also been involved in another incident (a runway excursion) at Strathallan Airfield in Perthshire on 21 August 2014 (see separate ASN entry)

After the above incident on 28 August 2017, G-RIGH was repaired and returned to service, passing on to its next owner (its 5th UK owner) on 21 November 2017, followed by the 6th (and current) owner on 13 April 2021. As at 6 November 2023, G-RIGH had accumulated a total of 2388 flying hours on the airframe.

Other occurrences involving this aircraft


21 August 2014	G-RIGH	Private	0	Strathallan Airfield, Auchterarder, Perthshire		sub
Runway excursion

Manchester-Barton (EGCB), Lancashire, UK - 22nd September 2007

Manchester- Barton Airfield (EGCB) Lancashire, UK - 22nd September 2007

SEASALTER update: The pilot and 5 passengers received minor injuries after an aircraft made an emergency landing near The Sportsman today. pic.twitter.com/ReCfPH5zIq

— Kent 999s (@Kent_999s) 28 August 2017

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
29-Aug-2017 07:49	gerard57	Added
29-Aug-2017 07:51	harro	Updated [Aircraft type, Cn]
29-Aug-2017 11:15	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Location, Destination airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative]
29-Aug-2017 11:22	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Embed code, Narrative]
29-Aug-2017 12:43	Aerossurance	Updated [Time, Location, Narrative]
11-Jan-2018 11:36	harro	Updated [Time]
12-Jan-2018 20:49	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Cn, Location, Source, Narrative]
12-Jan-2018 20:50	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Narrative]
28-Feb-2020 21:00	Peter Clarke	Updated [Photo]
12-Mar-2020 07:10	Peter Clarke	Updated [Photo]
26-Jun-2023 09:35	Nepa	Updated
07-Jun-2024 16:51	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Source, Narrative, Category]