RAF pilot killed in glider crash on take-off

An RAF pilot was killed yesterday after his glider crashed during take-off. The aircraft nose-dived on to the runway at RAF Syerston, near Newark, Nottinghamshire, as it attempted to gain altitude at about 10.30am.

The pilot, who was a member of the Four Counties Gliding Club, was flown to the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, where he died a few hours later.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We are not able to give details about the pilot at this stage because we are in the process of contacting his next of kin."

Reports suggest the LF8 glider crashed from 300 feet when it became detached prematurely from a winch on the ground, which normally remains fixed to the craft until it attains a height of 1,000ft.

An investigation will be carried out by the MoD.