04/07/2008

Men Walk Away From Light Aircraft Crash

Two men have escaped serious injury after their light aircraft crashed after taking off near Newport.

The pilot and passenger escaped the two-seater Kiscruiser, which then caught fire.

Gwent Police say the single engine Kiscruiser had taken off from Upfield Farm, Whitson intending to go to Filton.

After an attempted emergency landing, it is thought the aircraft caught fire after landing in a field by a roadside in Whitson.

The two men, both from the Usk in Monmouthshire, were treated by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries. It is understood they did not require hospital treatment.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the plane was "badly damaged" in the blaze.

The police and fire service remain at the scene to ensure the safe removal of the remains of the aircraft.

A witness said the aircraft had "gone quite low because it hit the electricity wires and they are down" and that "it came down right against the road and it just missed the stables".

Gwent Police have asked people to avoid the area if possible as there is "likely to be congestion in the area".

The Air Accident Investigation Branch have been informed and are investigating.

Two people were killed in a similar light aircraft crash in Wales, near Undy, east of Magor, last June.

William Richard Mills, 66, of Glascoed, and Paul Robert Sweeting, 33, originally from Tredegar, died in that incident.

Then, earlier this month, a light aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Manchester Airport after getting into difficulties.

The pilot of the Piper 34, which was flying to the airport from Blackpool, reported technical problems on final approach.

See: Emergency Landing For Aircraft At Manchester Airport

(DS)

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