Investigation over air crash
Two men died last week when a light aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Goodwood – and an investigation has been launched.
An investigation has been launched following a plane crash which left two people dead at Goodwood last week.
Two men, a 65-year-old from Balls Cross, Petworth, and a 58-year-old from Gosport, died when their light aircraft crashed shortly after taking off on Wednesday (June 30).
The man from Balls Cross has been named locally as Stephen Kendall and was described in tributes by Observer readers on Facebook as a ‘lovely man’.
County councillor and Petworth resident, Janet Duncton said: “We are a real community in Ebernoe and Balls Cross and when a tragedy happens we all feel the pain. As is the way in small communities we have known the family since childhood.
“The whole community is shocked and everyone’s thoughts are with the family.”
According to the BBC, a pilot who had taken off from Goodwood Airfield shortly before the crash could see black smoke reaching ‘100ft’.
He said: “Shortly after I took off, another plane took off. Other air traffic was told not to enter the airport air traffic zone.
“I could see black smoke reaching 100ft (30m) at the other side of the runway just outside the bounds of the airfield itself.”
The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed it is investigating the incident and a report is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
Emergency services including police, fire crews and an air ambulance, were called to the north of Goodwood Airfield at about 4.38pm following the crash.
After the incident, a West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Joint Fire Control mobilised a crew from Chichester Fire Station along with the service’s technical rescue unit to the scene.
“Officers from Sussex Police and the air ambulance were also in attendance. Members of the public were urged to avoid the area to allow emergency service staff to work safely.”