Exclusive: Light aircraft crash lands on Shuttleworth estate

Emergency services were dispatched to the Old Warden Aerodrome at around 11.20am, after receiving reports of a downed aircraft.

The aircraft was carrying a pilot and a single passenger– one of which suffered minor injuries in the crash.

An eyewitness has told the Chronicle that they saw the aircraft clip treetops before it came down.

The impact of the crash completely obliterated the right wing of the aircraft.

The incident is now being probed by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

A Beds Fire and Rescue spokesperson told us: “We were called at 11.25am yesterday morning about a light aircraft that had crashed at Old Warden Aerodrome and sent fire engines from Biggleswade, Sandy and Kempston as well as the Special Rescue Unit from Kempston.

“When the first appliance arrived at 11.40 they found that there was no fire situation and no persons trapped.

“The aircraft’s fuel and battery had already been isolated by airfield personnel and the pilot had walked away from the aircraft.

“We closed the incident six minutes later at 11.46am because we were not required to take any action.”

A Beds Police spokesperson added: “A plane on a leisure flight carrying a pilot and one passenger had to perform an emergency landing in the aerodrome grounds.

“It is believed one person has suffered minor injuries.

“Police attended supporting other emergency service partners to ensure the scene is safe.”

The Chronicle has contacted the Shuttleworth Collection for comment.