Pilot killed as replica Spitfire crashes into Chipping Norton field

23 August 2023 , 07:15

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Investigations into the crash are now underway in Oxfordshire

A pilot has died after a replica of Britain's famous World War Two Spitfire fighter aircraft crashed into a field.

Police, paramedics and fire crews rushed to the scene off the A44 near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, on Tuesday where the man was pronounced dead. Dramatic pictures of the crash show the rear section of the winged aircraft, which resembles the shape of a Supermarine Spitfire fighter - Britain's legendary WW2 fighter aircraft.

The area, near the village of Enstone, remains completely closed off this morning with the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) also at the scene. Superintendent Jen Hogben, LPA Commander for Cherwell and West Oxfordshire, said: “We are on scene following this incident, and very sadly the male pilot of the plane has died.

“The man’s next of kin have been informed and our thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time and we will be supporting them. No one else was injured following this incident.

“We would ask members of the public to please avoid the area to assist us in conducting an investigation. A road closure is in place on the B4022, just off the A44, we would thank local residents for their co-operation and would apologies for any inconvenience.

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“If anyone has witnessed this incident or has any footage or photographs that will assist with the investigation, we would ask them to please contact us either online or by calling 101 quoting reference 1358 of 22082023.

“We would kindly ask members of the public not to upload images of the incident to social media out of respect to those involved. We will not be providing a further update this evening. An investigation is ongoing which will continue and we will update further when appropriate.”

An Air Accident Investigations Branch spokesperson added: "We have been made aware of an incident in Enstone, and deployed a team which will shortly begin its investigation."

Ed Cullinane