The family of one of the two individuals who lost their lives in a small plane accident has honored their loved one. Arian Abbasi, aged 36, residing in Harrow, Greater London, was eulogized as a “deeply affectionate father and committed spouse” by relatives in a statement issued by the police today.
The incident took place on farmland near the M62 in Littleborough, Rochdale, on Tuesday (February 3) when the Cirrus SR20 crashed, resulting in the fatalities of the two occupants. Flight records indicated that the single-engine aircraft, with a capacity of 4-5 passengers, departed from Birmingham Airport at approximately 10 am. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft began descending, ultimately crashing near Littleborough around 11 am, with both men declared deceased at the scene.
In a poignant message, Arian’s family described him as “a deeply loving father and a devoted husband. He dedicated his life to his family and friends, providing them with unwavering love, courage, and assistance. Aviation was his passion, and he was on the verge of embarking on a new and exciting journey with a commercial airline on 23 February; a dream he had pursued with great pride and determination.”
The Cirrus SR20 is equipped with a parachute system for emergency situations. Images from the site displayed a large yellow parachute entangled in an electricity pylon structure. According to the recent police statement, authorities are still scouring for a part of the parachute system that includes propellant and remains unaccounted for.
“The challenging terrain and vast search area have made locating the device very challenging,” stated Greater Manchester Police. The missing item is about 10 cm in diameter, 30 cm long, red anodized, and weighs less than 2 kg. It might have a silver metal collar attached at one end. The public is advised not to handle the device if found, but to promptly contact the police through 101 or Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, referencing log 1056 of 03/02/26.
