Man dies after light aircraft crash at Cambridgeshire airfield

LONDON: A man has died after the light aircraft he was piloting crashed at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) airfield in Duxford, Cambridgeshire.

The man, aged in his 50s and from the Bedfordshire area, was flying the privately owned General Aviation Cirrus SR22 when it crashed on Tuesday. There were no other people on board.

An IWM spokesperson said emergency services were called to the scene at 1.40pm on Tuesday. “We are sad to report that the pilot, a man in his 50s from the Bedfordshire area, did not survive the crash,” the spokesperson said.

“Despite the best efforts of medical crews, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

“Cambridgeshire Police have informed next of kin, who attended the scene of the accident yesterday. “The aircraft was a privately owned General Aviation Cirrus SR22, based at Duxford. “There were no other passengers. “Police have now passed the investigation over to the Air Accident Investigation Branch, who remain on site at Duxford.” An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 1.40pm on Tuesday with reports that an aircraft had crashed at Duxford Airfield. “Two ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, three Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance attended the scene.

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of all emergency services involved, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.” IWM Duxford will be closed to the public on Wednesday and Thursday but is expected to reopen on Friday.