Pilot of WWI replica plane killed in crash

A 68-year-old pilot of a First World War replica plane was killed in a crash at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire on Saturday.

The man from Horsham, West Sussex died when the small aircraft came down during a practice display.

The Air Accident Investigations Branch and Hampshire police are investigating the scene to establish why the small aircraft crashed.

Witness Nick Baynes told the BBC: "I was returning home... and saw a large number of replica aircraft doing circuits over the airfield. There were maybe a dozen or so in the air.

"I stopped to take photos and a white van pulled into the lay-by and the driver said: 'One has just crashed'. I could see smoke but not the aircraft.

"It was unusual because they were so close together. If it was not a display itself, it looked like they were practising for a display."

According to The Argus, the pilot was the only person on the plane and was declared dead at the scene. His family has been notified.

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