Two people have died after a light aircraft on a “short flight experience” crashed in a field near Ongar in Essex yesterday afternoon, police have said.
Essex Police say the two-seat Cessna plane crashed in a field off Mill Lane, Ongar, on Tuesday having earlier taken off from North Weald airfield around seven miles away.
The two people on board, who have not been formally identified, both died.
Detective Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin, of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said the “small aircraft took off from North Weald airfield on what was expected to be a short journey”.
“The two-seat Cessna aircraft was carrying out a short flight experience but sadly it did not return,” he said.
“At 12.30pm (on Tuesday) we were contacted by members of the public who reported a small aircraft had crashed in a field off Mill Lane, Ongar.
“Sadly we can now confirm that the two people on board have died.
“Formal identification has yet to take place.”
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) previously confirmed it is investigating the incident and inspectors were at the scene.
A spokesman said: “An accident in Ongar, Essex involving a light aircraft which occurred today (June 30) has been notified to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
“An investigation has been launched and a team of inspectors are on their way to the accident site.”
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