Police have recovered the body of a man from an Essex reservoir, days after a small aircraft crashed into the water.
Multi-Agency Search Concludes
Essex Police confirmed the discovery at Hanningfield Reservoir on Tuesday, 30 December 2025. The force had been leading a detailed search operation alongside specialists from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and divers from the Metropolitan Police Service.
The search was launched after the plane came down on Sunday, 28 December. Chief Superintendent Waheed Khan stated that work continued late into Monday evening before sonar equipment identified debris and the body on the reservoir floor.
A Tragic Outcome
"I would firstly like to recognise that someone has lost their life in tragic circumstances," said Chief Supt Khan. "Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this incident."
Officers believe the body is that of the sole occupant of the aircraft. As a result, the extensive search activity at the site has now been concluded.
The police have stated that formal identification will be carried out sensitively with HM Coroner. They emphasised it would not be right to confirm the man's identity publicly until that procedure is complete.
Detailed Investigation Work
The operation involved methodically scanning the reservoir after enquiries pinpointed the specific area where the aircraft entered the water. "This was highly-detailed work being carried out by specialists from across multiple agencies," Chief Supt Khan added.
He thanked the public for their patience during the search. Responsibility for the reservoir and any further recovery work will now pass back to the site's owners.
Police confirmed they will be preparing a file for the coroner as part of the ongoing investigative process following the tragic light aircraft crash.
