Two people have died following a plane crash at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon on Saturday afternoon. The light aircraft came down around 1:15 pm and burst into flames, with emergency services rushing to the scene near Honiton.
Details of the Incident
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the deaths of the two individuals on board the aircraft. The crash occurred on private land adjacent to the airfield. Fire crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze, but the occupants were declared dead at the scene.
According to a police spokesperson, “Officers were called at around 1.15pm on Saturday 15 March to reports of a light aircraft crash at Dunkeswell Airfield. Two people were confirmed deceased at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.”
Emergency Response and Investigation
The airfield was closed following the incident as investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) began their work. The AAIB has deployed a team to examine the wreckage and determine the cause of the crash. The aircraft, a light plane, was completely destroyed by the fire.
Local roads around the airfield were closed to allow emergency vehicles access. The police have urged the public to avoid the area while investigations continue. Dunkeswell Airfield, located in East Devon, is a general aviation airfield used for recreational flying and training.
Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
Residents in the area reported hearing a loud bang before seeing smoke rising from the crash site. One local, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “It was a terrifying sound. We saw flames and smoke and knew something terrible had happened.” The incident has raised concerns about safety at small airfields, though officials stress that such accidents are rare.
The AAIB investigation is expected to take several weeks, with a preliminary report likely to be published in the coming days. The names of the victims have not yet been released pending formal identification.
