A pilot has died after a small plane crashed near an airfield in East Devon on Friday morning (June 26).
The plane came down close to Dunkeswell Airfield at around 10am and a woman in her 40s was discovered dead at the scene.
Police said no one else was onboard the light aircraft, and officers have been in contact with the woman’s next of kin.
Eyewitnesses said they saw the emergency services and air ambulance near an old runway close to the airfield.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the Air Accident Investigation Branch has been notified about the crash.
The force is calling on witnesses with footage of the crash to get in touch, urging them not to post it online.
Superintendent Jo Arundale said: “We will be working closely with The Air Accident Investigation Branch to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash this morning.
“We recognise it is a very sad incident and we are appealing to the public not to speculate regarding the crash.
“Furthermore, we would like to ask anybody who may have relevant footage to get in touch with us and not to post it online.”
She added: “Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the person involved.”
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed officers were called shortly after 10am after a report of a light aircraft crashing near Dunkeswell Airfield.
The emergency services arrived at the crash scene where they found the pilot dead.
A force spokesperson said: “Police were called shortly after 10am on Friday 26 June following a report of a light aircraft crashing near to Dunkeswell Airfield.
“Emergency services attended the scene.
“Tragically, the pilot – believed to be a woman in her 40s – was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Nobody else was on board at the time.
“Her next of kin has been informed.
“The Air Accident Investigation Branch has been notified.”
If you have footage or information to help police, call 101 or report it through the force website, quoting log 268 of 26 June.
