Pilot dies after plane crashes during ‘difficult’ takeoff
A pilot has died after a plane crashed during take-off before setting on fire at an airfield in Worcester.
The horror crash happened at Defford Croft Farm airfield near Worcester today.
It sparked a huge emergency response, with several fire crews rushing to site in rural Worcestershire shortly before 11am.
The plane got into ‘difficulties’ when it tried to take-off, sending it ‘rapidly’ down, the Sun reports citing the police.
Tragically, the pilot was pronounced dead at the scene, the police said.
No one else was injured in the smash.
Now the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has started an investigation into the accident.
It said: ‘The AAIB has started an investigation into an accident involving a light aircraft which occurred near Defford, Worcestershire, on 27 August.
‘A team of inspectors has been sent to the accident site to gather evidence.’
The police said: ‘At 10.45am this morning we were called to Woodmancote, near Defford.
‘There were reports that a small plane had experienced difficulties during take-off, causing it to descend rapidly to the ground.’
Several crews attended from nearby fire stations, including from Pershore, Upton upon Seven, Malvern, Droitwich, Ledbury, Wyre Forest and Peterchurch, the fire service said.
A spokesperson for the West Midlands Ambulance Service told Metro.co.uk: ‘A paramedic officer, an ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford responded to the scene.
‘It quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the single occupant of the aircraft and they were sadly confirmed deceased on scene by ambulance staff.’
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