A man in his 70s has died after a light aircraft crashed at Sherburn Aero Club in North Yorkshire. Emergency services were called to the airfield near Leeds just before 1pm on Sunday after the plane came down on the runway.
Witness Liz Crossley, who was watching planes with her family, said the aircraft took off and climbed almost vertically before turning to the side and nosediving from about 200 feet. 'It then crashed back onto the airfield,' she said.
Police and ambulance crews attended the scene, where the pilot, the sole occupant of the plane, was pronounced dead. North Yorkshire Police confirmed he was from the Leeds area.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been informed and has launched a probe into the incident. Police said they are guarding the scene and were unable to release further details.
Sherburn Aero Club, which offers pilot training and trial flying lessons, is open to members of the public. The cause of the crash is not yet known.
