Man dies after plane crash lands leaving pilot trapped upside down

04 September 2023 , 17:01

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The tragic incident took place in Cornwall (Image: Google Maps)

A man has tragically died after his plane crash landed upside down, leaving him trapped inside the cockpit.

The shocking incident took place at the Truro Aerodrome, in Cornwall, with police receiving reports of the crash around 3.20pm, on September 3. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is currently investigating the incident. Emergency services, including teams from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Cornwall Police, raced to the scene.

CornwallLive reports that the light aircraft had crash-landed at the grass strip airfield, situated approximately five miles northwest of Penstraze. The aircraft was involved in an emergency landing, during which it flipped over and landed in an upturned position on the runway's edge. It is understood that the pilot was trapped inside the cockpit.

The aircraft was only carrying the pilot, with no passengers on board. But emergency crews required the help of a local farmer and, using a tractor's hydraulic forks, they managed to lift the tail of the aircraft, creating enough space for firefighters to extricate the pilot.

Devon and Cornwall Police have now confirmed that the pilot was pronounced dead at the scene. A spokesperson from the force said: "Police were notified at around 3.20pm on Sunday 3 September to reports of a private aircraft crash at Truro Airfield.

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"Emergency Services attended the scene. A single male occupant of the aircraft was pronounced deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. The Air Accident Investigation Branch was notified and is investigating the incident."

A spokesperson for Truro Airfield said: "We are very saddened to announce that on Sunday 3rd September a pilot was killed tragically in an aeroplane crash at Truro airfield. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with the pilot's family and friends at this sad time. As there is an ongoing investigation we cannot comment any further at this time."

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Molly Seaman