The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an investigation after a fatal aircraft crash in Co Down on Tuesday.
Police confirmed that two people were pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, which happened at 8:20pm at Newtownards Airport. The crash involved a light aircraft.
In a statement issued this morning, the AAIB confirmed that they have received a report of the crash and that their team is on their way to the site.
READ MORE: PSNI confirm two people have died after Co Down aircraft crash
A spokesperson said: "An accident involving a light aircraft which occurred last night near Newtownards, County Down, has been notified to the AAIB. An investigation has begun and a team of inspectors are on their way to the accident site."
Ulster Unionist MLA for Strangford, Mike Nesbitt, expressed his shock at the death of two people yesterday evening.
He said: “The Ards airfield is a fixture of the town, situated right on the edge of the urbanisation, not miles and miles from the town centre. So, on a daily basis we are all used to seeing light aircraft and helicopters overhead.
"This is above all a human tragedy and our thoughts are with the family members and friends who have lost loved ones."
Alliance Party councillor Vicky Moore lives near the airport and visited the scene following the crash on Tuesday evening.
She said: “It is a huge shock to the community and obviously all our thoughts are with the families of those who have been affected and particularly those that have died in the accident.
“Really the airport here in Newtownards is part of the community, it is very busy, it has been a fixture in the town for a very, very long time. Local people are used to the activity at the airport and this will be a terrible shock to them. I live under the flight path, probably about 10-15 minutes’ walk away.
“I was at the scene last night. Police were preventing anyone from getting access to the airport but you could see that a number of emergency vehicles were there. This is a very rare occurrence bearing in mind the amount of activity there is at the airport.
“It is mostly flying schools who use it, pleasure flying, small, independent and private aircraft use it. The airfield is so popular, it is not expected that something like this would happen.”
A PSNI statement on Wednesday morning read: "Police can confirm that two people have died following a crash involving a light aircraft at Newtownards Airport on Tuesday evening. It was reported to police at 8.20pm that a light aircraft had crashed at the airport. Officers and other emergency services attended the scene.
"Sadly, two people were pronounced dead."
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