Pilot dies after aerodrome crash

Nine people were on board the aircraft when it crashed

A pilot who was seriously injured in a light aircraft crash in Kent has died in hospital, police have said.

Steven Davis, 36, suffered severe head injuries in the accident at Headcorn Aerodrome on Sunday afternoon.

A Kent Police spokesman said he later died from his injuries at the Royal London Hospital.

There were eight parachutists on the plane, which crashed during an aborted take-off. A man among the group was taken to hospital with chest injuries.

The De Havilland Turbo Beaver hit a static display aircraft - part of the aerodrome's museum displays - at the end of the runway.

'Absolutely shell-shocked'

Fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene just after 1600 GMT on Sunday.

A spokeswoman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said the occupants of the plane were initially helped by an off-duty doctor, paramedic and ambulance technician from Sussex, who were at Headcorn to take part in a separate parachute jump.

The pilot, who was employed by Headcorn Parachute Club at the aerodrome, had to be cut free from the cockpit by rescue crews.

He was taken to hospital by air ambulance, but died at 1755 GMT on Sunday.

The aerodrome also offers flying lessons and pleasure flights

The parachute club said Mr Davis lived at the aerodrome, where he had been working for a month.

"It was not his first job, he was very experienced," said manager Jane Buckle.

"We're all absolutely shell-shocked by what's happened. We're completely numb. We're really, really sad and upset."

Club member Peter Sizer added: "He'd been flying on that runway during the day, and getting airborne with no problem at all.

"So we are at a loss to explain why he was unable to get airborne or to stop before he ran out of room.

"I would say he was a very good pilot, he was very cautious - there were no worries about him at all."

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it was looking into the crash and would produce a report in due course.