The pilot of a small aircraft died after colliding in mid air with another plane in the United Kingdom, local media reported Monday.
The incident occurred at around 4:30 p.m. local time in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, England when an unnamed 63-year-old pilot crashed its plane into another aircraft during their flight, local authorities told BBC News. The small plane crashed down into the Adur Recreation Ground near Shoreham Airport, bursting into flames.
According to Sussex Police, the pilot tried to avoid crashing into residential areas and sought the open field. The other involved aircraft was a single-engine four-seat Diamond DA40 operated by Flying Time Aviation that was able to land safely after the collision. Both of the pilots were reported in good condition.
Emergency calls reported the incident and Sussex Police and England’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch arrived to cordon off the area and begin carrying out investigations. Wreckage and airplane parts were scattered throughout the area. Part of the plane’s propeller was located at Beach Green. Despite the parks and regular walkers in the area, no one was injured on the ground.
Flying Time Aviation has been operating since 2006, and the company said it had not been involved in a serious incident during its history as a flight training organization, underlining its priority in safety.
