Aerobatic plane crash pilot hurt

Mr Rutland is said to be in a stable condition. Picture by BBC Radio York.

A military aircraft that was performing aerobatics has crashed at an RAF training base in North Yorkshire.

The single-engine Tucano training plane crashed into the perimeter of the airfield at RAF Linton-on-Ouse near York at about 1230 GMT.

Flt Lt Mike Rutland ejected and was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham but was not thought to have been seriously injured.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch has begun an investigation.

Linton-on-Ouse is one of the RAF's busiest airfields, providing training with the Tucano T1.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "We can confirm that a two-seater Tucano training aircraft has crashed at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

"The pilot, who was the only person on board, ejected successfully.

"It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage as an investigation is under way."

Group Captain Mike Longstaff, Station Commander at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, said Mr Rutland was in a stable condition.

He said: "The pilot ejected safely just before impact. The parachute did deploy.

"He has been airlifted to hospital. His next of kin have been informed."