The wreckage was found on Sunday following an underwater search by the AAIB and a private group.
In a statement on Monday, the AAIB said: ‘Having identified a priority search area last week, the AAIB agreed a search strategy with Blue Water Recoveries Ltd to maximise the chance of locating the aircraft wreckage.
‘The AAIB commissioned specialist vessel Geo Ocean III and Blue Water Recoveries Ltd commissioned FPV Morven and the search area was divided between the vessels. Both vessels began their search on the morning of Sunday 3 February.
‘Early in the search, the Morven identified an object of interest on the seabed using its side-scan sonar equipment. It cleared the immediate area for the Geo Ocean III to use its underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to survey the area of the seabed in which the object was located. Based on analysis of ROV video footage, the AAIB investigators on board the vessel concluded that the object is wreckage from the missing Piper Malibu aircraft, registration N264DB.
‘The ROV carried out a further search of the area overnight, but did not identify any additional pieces of wreckage.
‘Tragically, in video footage from the ROV, one occupant is visible amidst the wreckage. The AAIB is now considering the next steps, in consultation with the families of the pilot and passenger, and the police.
‘The image shows the rear left side of the fuselage including part of the aircraft registration.
‘We intend to publish an interim report within one month of the accident occurring.’
The aircraft that had been carrying 28-year-old Mr Sala and Mr Ibbotson (59) disappeared as it passed Guernsey and Alderney on 21 January after leaving Nantes in France for Cardiff.
