A female pilot in her 40s has died following the crash of a light aircraft on a farm situated near Dunkeswell Aerodrome in east Devon. Emergency responders, including police, fire crews, and ambulance services, arrived at the site shortly after the incident was reported at approximately 10:00 BST on Friday.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the pilot was the sole occupant of the plane and was declared deceased at the scene. Her family has been notified. Superintendent Jo Arundale urged the public to refrain from speculation and requested that anyone possessing video of the event contact authorities rather than sharing it on social media.
Nick Stevens, who operates the nearby Connetts Farm, discovered the burning wreckage after initially fearing a barn fire on his property. Emergency personnel were already alerted by the time he reached the location. Law enforcement is now coordinating with the Air Accident Investigation Branch to determine the causes of the crash.
Dunkeswell Aerodrome, formerly an RAF base from World War II, holds the distinction of being the highest licensed airfield in the United Kingdom. Local authorities have implemented road closures in the vicinity while the investigation proceeds.
