Flintshire air crash: Two dead at Chester Hawarden airport

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating the twin-engine aircraft crash

A man and a woman have died after a light aircraft crashed next to the runway at Chester Hawarden airport on Friday.

The incident happened around 1pm when the twin-engine aircraft landed nose first. North Wales Police were informed at around 1.10pm.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene and the woman was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital but later died.

The pair have not yet been identified, police said. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

A police spokesman said: “We are working with the AAIB to establish what caused the plane to crash. The AAIB will lead the investigation.

“North Wales Police are currently not in a position to identify the man and the woman who died. The coroner has been informed.”

The runway at Chester Hawarden airport is next to the Flintshire Airbus UK wing factory and manages business and private flights. A spokesman for Airbus said the crash did not involve one of its aircraft.

Airport owner Aviation Park Group said it could not comment on the crash and referred all queries to the police.