Two dead after plane crashed during flight experience

Two people died during a 30-minute flight experience when their light aircraft crashed in a field, police have said.

The two-seat Cessna plane came down off Mill Lane in High Ongar, Essex, at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday.

It had set off from North Weald Airfield on “what was expected to be a short journey,” Det Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said. The airfield offers trial experiences which can be booked by the public for £235.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) described it as an “accident” and said its inspectors’ inquiries were ongoing.

At a press conference in High Ongar, Cronin said the victims were yet to be formally identified.

“The two-seat Cessna aircraft was carrying out a short flying experience flight but, sadly, it did not return,” Cronin told reporters.

“This is likely to be a complex process and one we will approach sensitively and compassionately.”

Police were called by members of the public who witnessed the plane crash into the field.

The light aircraft is pictured on North Weald Flight Training’s website, where people can book the trial experiences in the Cessna plane, with prices starting at £235.

Information on its website tells prospective customers they would sit in the front of the aircraft with access to “dual flight controls under the guidance of your fully certified and highly skilled flight instructor”.

According to information on tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft had been flown twice already on Tuesday.

More stories from Essex

The third flight lasted eight minutes before the plane came to a stop near High Ongar, according to the website.

Two people died during a 30-minute flight experience when their light aircraft crashed in a field, police have said.

The two-seat Cessna plane came down off Mill Lane in High Ongar, Essex, at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday.

It had set off from North Weald Airfield on “what was expected to be a short journey,” Det Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said. The airfield offers trial experiences which can be booked by the public for £235.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) described it as an “accident” and said its inspectors’ inquiries were ongoing.

At a press conference in High Ongar, Cronin said the victims were yet to be formally identified.

“The two-seat Cessna aircraft was carrying out a short flying experience flight but, sadly, it did not return,” Cronin told reporters.

“This is likely to be a complex process and one we will approach sensitively and compassionately.”

Police were called by members of the public who witnessed the plane crash into the field.

The light aircraft is pictured on North Weald Flight Training’s website, where people can book the trial experiences in the Cessna plane, with prices starting at £235.

Information on its website tells prospective customers they would sit in the front of the aircraft with access to “dual flight controls under the guidance of your fully certified and highly skilled flight instructor”.

According to information on tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft had been flown twice already on Tuesday.

More stories from Essex

The third flight lasted eight minutes before the plane came to a stop near High Ongar, according to the website.