Moment plane nosedives into airfield after takeoff, k!lling pilot

One person has di3d after a light aircraft crashed at a flight club in North Yorkshire.

Emergency services were called to the Sherburn Aero Club in Sherburn near Leeds, where a plane crashed landed on the runway just before 1pm Sunday, Nov. 2.

Witness Liz Crossley was among those at the airfield watching planes take off with her family on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

She told Metro: “It took off. It went up in the air until it was almost vertical then the plane turned to the side. It then nosedived into the ground.

“It was only up about 200 feet then it crashed back onto the airfield.

“They called the emergency services and lots of police came.”

Police and ambulance attended the incident, where a man, the sole occupant of the plane, was declared de@d. The man was in his 70s and from the Leeds area, police confirmed.

His family are being supported by specialist officers.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched a probe into the incident.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement: “We are currently guarding the scene and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been made aware.

“We are not currently able to release any further information about the incident or deceased.’”

According to its website, Sherburn Aero Club offers pilot training as well as trial flying lessons and is open to members of the public.