Two killed in Essex light plane crash

Two men have been killed after a light aircraft crashed into a field in rural England.

Emergency services were alerted to a major incident at around 2.55pm that a plane had gone down in a field between Ongar and Writtle in Essex.

Essex Police said the Yak 52 aircraft's pilot and passenger, both from Essex, were killed after the plane flew out from North Weald airfield.

A spokeswoman said: “Two people have died after a YAK 52 light aircraft was seen to be in difficulties and then crashed into a field off the A414 near Cooksmill Green (between Writtle and Ongar) around 2.55pm today.

“Emergency services rushed to the scene and fire crews extinguished the fire caused when the plane crashed. Two men, a pilot and his passenger — both from Essex, were on board. The plane had flown out from North Weald airfield.”

The spokeswoman said that officers were in the process of locating and informing next of kin.

Firefighters from nearby Chelmsford, Colchester and Maldon are believed to have attended the scene.

The aircraft was “completely alight” when firefighters arrived at the scene near Cooksmill Green, Essex Fire and Rescue Service said.

A spokesman said: “On arrival the incident commander reported that the plane was completely alight.

“Crews used foam and had extinguished the fire by 3.55pm.”

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokesman said: "The Air Accidents Investigation Branch have sent a team to investigate."

PA