A plane crash landed in a field outside Wigan, seriously injuring its pilot, after its engine 'lost power'. An air accident investigation report says the light aircraft got into difficulties shortly after taking off from Barton Airport on Sunday, May 29 this year.
Around two miles from the airport and at about 750ft the pilot said the engine 'lost power' and the speed dropped to 'idle', the report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch says. He selected a field off Rindle Road in Tyldesley for a 'forced landing', but the plane, a Tecnam P92-EM Echo, flipped over when its nose hit the soft ground.
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The pilot, a 65-year-old man with more than 1,500 hours flying experience, was seriously injured in the crash. His passenger suffered minor injuries.
No-one was onboard. Following the crash the plane's engine was tested and 'ran satisfactorily', the report says.
'The cause of the power loss could not be determined', the report concludes. Emergency services rushed to the scene, following the crash at around 1pm on May 29.
Speaking at the time a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Just before 1.30pm this afternoon, five fire engines from Farnworth, Leigh, Irlam and Atherton, along with a Technical Response Unit from Leigh were called to reports of an aircraft crash on Rindle Road, Tyldesley. Crews quickly arrived at the scene and worked to make the area safe.
"Firefighters using trauma equipment and a long board worked with colleagues from Northwest Ambulance Service to treat two people at the scene, before they were taken to the hospital.
"Firefighters are still in attendance and have been at the scene for around one hour."
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