Two individuals have tragically lost their lives in a light aircraft crash that occurred on Tuesday afternoon. The incident took place on farmland near Rochdale, as per the Greater Manchester Police.
The aircraft involved, identified as a Cirrus SR20, was carrying two occupants when it crashed near the M62 in Littleborough, close to Rochdale. Authorities have confirmed that there were no additional passengers on board, and no injuries were reported on the ground.
Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis of GMP’s Rochdale district expressed condolences, stating, “This is a devastating incident where two people have lost their lives, and our thoughts are with their families and friends.”
Flight data indicated that the single-engine plane, with a capacity of 4-5 individuals, departed from Birmingham Airport around 10 am. Shortly into the flight, the aircraft began descending, ultimately crashing near Littleborough, a town located at the base of the South Pennines, around 11 am.
Earlier today, following initial reports of the crash, Greater Manchester Police issued a statement confirming emergency services’ response to the incident. They urged the public to avoid the area as investigations were carried out.
An image circulating on social media displayed what seemed to be a parachute entangled in a nearby pylon. The Cirrus SR20 aircraft model is equipped with a whole aircraft parachute system designed for emergency deployment.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has initiated an investigation into the crash and dispatched a team to the crash site. In a released statement, the AAIB announced, “An accident involving a light aircraft near Rochdale, Greater Manchester that occurred today has been reported to the AAIB. An investigation is underway, and a team of inspectors is en route to the accident site.”
