Probe into aircraft crash deaths launched
The air accidents watchdog has launched a probe into how a light aircraft crashed to earth causing the death of two people.
A search was launched on Wednesday evening after reports a plane had come down one mile short of the runway at Beverley Airfield, East Yorkshire, at 7.30pm.
The air ambulance was dispatched, but police said the two people on board suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
We're working with @aaibgovuk after a light aircraft crashed in the Leven area last night. Two people in the plane sadly died. Their families have been informed & are being supported by specialist officers.#AAIB Inspectors will shortly be at the scene to begin their investigation https://t.co/ragZgFMSC6
— Humberside Police (@Humberbeat) October 11, 2018
Emergency services, volunteers and local residents scoured the countryside for the wreckage, which was eventually found in the corner of a field.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said on Thursday: “The AAIB is sending a team to investigate an accident involving a light aircraft that occurred near Beverley, east Yorkshire.”
While police initially said the two people on board were safe, it later confirmed the pilot and passenger had died.
A spokesman said: “Information was passed on to us when the incident was first reported to indicate that the passenger and pilot were safe.
“As our search began and progressed, it became clear that while this information had been provided with good intention, it was not correct.”
The plane had been flying south from the Scottish Borders when it came down near to the approach to the landing strip at Beverley Airfield, police said.
Humberside Police said the families of both victims had been informed and it was supporting the AAIB’s investigation.
Police have appealed for witnesses to call 101.
