An 80-year-old flying instructor who was killed in a light aircraft crash alongside a teenage student has been named as Ian Haggis. He and the 16-year-old boy were pronounced dead at the scene after the plane came down in a remote field near Drymen, Stirlingshire, shortly before 4.45pm on Friday.
Victim identified as experienced pilot
Ian, known as the Flying Haggis, is understood to have been an experienced commercial pilot and was reportedly in charge of the aircraft, a Piper Tomahawk II. The identity of the 16-year-old victim remains unknown, and it is thought he may have been taking a flying lesson.
Tributes were paid to the instructor online. Joseph Thompson wrote on Facebook: “My good friend and instructor Ian Haggis was killed yesterday in an air accident, my heart goes to his family.”
AAIB launches investigation
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched a probe. In a statement, the AAIB said: “An investigation has begun into an accident involving a light aircraft which occurred on October 16, 2026. A team has travelled to the accident site near Drymen to make inquiries and gather evidence as part of the process of conducting an investigation.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the crash, with police remaining in the area yesterday.
Aircraft flight path details
The Piper Tomahawk II is understood to have departed Cumbernauld Airport in Lanarkshire at 11.46am on Friday before travelling to Glasgow Airport. Flight-tracking data suggests the aircraft later headed north-east towards Newport-on-Tay in Fife before returning to Glasgow, where it remained on the ground for just over an hour.
It took off from Glasgow at 4.17pm and was heading towards the Loch Lomond and Drymen area when its transmissions stopped at 4.37pm, a few miles north-east of the village. The aircraft, which is around 45 years old, was bought from a Liverpool company in April and is understood to be registered to Leading Edge Flight Training Ltd, a firm operating from Glasgow and Cumbernauld airports that offers trial flying lessons, introductory flights and advanced training.
Scene and response
A cordon was erected near Old Drymen Road, with officers seen heading towards the hillside where the aircraft is believed to have crashed. A tarpaulin was draped over the aircraft’s canopy at the scene.
Gavin Birch-Williams, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “This is a deeply tragic event and the thoughts and sympathies from all at Glasgow Airport are with the friends and families affected.” Temporary airspace restrictions have been imposed over the Drymen area.
