Police attend the scene after a light aircraft crashes in Chigwell, Essex

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The impact of the fatal crash is said to have left the light aircraft “100 per cent alight”

 

Emergency crews rushed to the scene to deal with the blaze after the Beechcraft King Air 200 plummeted into a field in Chigwell, Essex, shortly before 10.20am on Saturday.

 

The two people who died on board were described as “highly-experienced professional pilots” by the aircraft’s owners and operators London Executive Aviation (LEA).

 

Witnesses described hearing a “loud bang” and feeling “the ground shaking” as the eight-seater aircraft came down close to a campsite where girl guides were staying.

 

First pictures of the scene released by Essex Police and air accident investigators show debris scattered across a field near Stapleford Airport.

 

Detective chief inspector Stephen Jennings, of Essex Police, said: “We are working together with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the Essex Coroner’s Office.

 

“The recovery and forensic investigations will take some time and we appreciate the patience of the local landowners and residents whilst this work continues.

 

“Our thoughts are with the families of those who died and we offer our deepest sympathies to them.”

 

The two crew members on board died in the incident which destroyed the aircraft

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The plane is said to have been completely alight after it crashed

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A police spokesman said: “Cordons on the scene and the surrounding area are likely to remain in place today as the delicate recovery operation continues.”

 

David Sullivan and David Gold, chairmen of West Ham United, said they had been lucky not to be on board.

 

The pair were due to fly from Stapleford Airport to the northeast where their team had a Premier League match with Sunderland.

 

Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold were waiting for one of two aircrafts available to them - including the doomed plane.

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A club spokesman said the men had to change their plans when they arrived to find Stapleford Airport closed.

 

Mr Sullivan said: “It was 50/50 whether we got on the plane that crashed or the other one. It’s a real shock. My heart goes out to the families of the pilots, it’s very, very sad.”

 

East of England Ambulance Service said an ambulance crew, rapid response vehicle, two ambulance officers and the hazardous area response team were sent to the scene.

 

Forensic officers are investigating how the plane crashed shortly after take-off

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Two people were left dead after the light aircraft crashed in Essex

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Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were also called to the scene to deal with the blaze.

 

A spokesman said: “On arrival crews reported that the aircraft was 100 per cent alight.

 

“Crews are wearing breathing apparatus and using two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.”

 

Road closures and diversions remain in place while emergency services work at the scene.

 

Fire chiefs said the plane was left ‘100 per cent’ alight after the crash

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A spokesman for Stapleford Aerodrome, around five miles from the crash, said the aircraft’s route itinerary did not include its premises.

 

The eight-seater aircraft was manufactured in 1981 and had its most recent scheduled maintenance inspection less than four months ago, LEA said.

 

The captain had extensive experience of flying King Air aircraft and was a Civil Aviation Authority flying examiner.

 

LEA managing director George Galanopoulos, who visited the site shortly after the tragic incident, said: “Everybody at London Executive Aviation is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic accident.

 

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends of our colleagues who lost their lives.

 

“We will do everything possible to support them at this difficult time. We will also co-operate fully with the authorities charged with investigating the causes of the accident.”

 

A forensic officer at the scene of the crash

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Witnesses reported hearing a “loud bang” and “the ground shaking” as the eight-seater aircraft came down, a short distance away from where members of the Girl Guides were camping.

 

A spokeswoman for the organisation said: “Our site is completely safe and unaffected by the crash.

 

“They were about three fields away, so everyone is safe.”

 

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has sent a team to investigate the incident.

Burnt documents found at the scene of the crash

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