Pilot killed after plane crashes near UK airfield - police issue statement
Dunkeswell Airfield LIVE: Plane crashes in Devon killing pilot - police issue update
Paramedics, police officers and fire crews were dispatched to the scene.
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Add us as preferred source Comments live By Lauran O'Toole, Senior Reporter, Shannon Brown 14:02, Fri, Jun 26, 2026 Updated: 14:13, Fri, Jun 26, 2026 
Emergency services swarmed an airfield in Devon this morning amid a major incident. Fire crews, paramedics, police officers and an air ambulance reached Dunkeswell Airfield today, after a report of a light aircraft crashing nearby.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said three fire engines were attending an incident at the Devon airfield, DevonLive reports. Police confirmed they were attending the scene too, saying: "Police were called shortly after 10am on Friday 26 June following a report of a light aircraft crashing near to Dunkeswell Airfield. Emergency services attended the scene. We are continuing to work with our colleagues at The Air Accident Investigation Branch. The incident is ongoing and we will issue updates when in a position to do so." It later emerged the pilot, the only person on the aircraft, had died.
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KEY EVENTS
- Pilot dies in crash13:54
- Police confirm plane crash12:24
- 'Police blue lighting to Dunkeswell Airfield'11:56
- Police issue update11:51
- Reports that a plane has crashed 11:38
'It is a very sad incident'
Superintendent Jo Arundale said: “We will be working closely with The Air Accident Investigation Branch to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash this morning.
“We recognise it is a very sad incident and we are appealing to the public not to speculate regarding the crash.
“Furthermore, we would like to ask anybody who may have relevant footage to get in touch with us and not to post it online.
"Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the person involved.”
Anybody with relevant footage is asked to call 101 or visit our website quoting log 268 of 26 June.
16 mins ago13:58 Lauran O'TooleNobody else on board at the time
Officers have added that nobody else was on board the aircraft and her next of kin have been informed.
Police added they are continuing to work with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and have urged the public not to speculate about the circumstances of the crash.
20 mins ago13:54 Lauran O'ToolePilot dies in crash
The police have now confirmed that a pilot, a woman in her 40s, has been killed.
Get the latest news from around the world and more Invalid emailA spokesperson said: "Tragically, the pilot – believed to be a woman in her 40s – was pronounced deceased at the scene. Nobody else was on board at the time.
"Her next of kin has been informed.
"The Air Accident Investigation Branch has been notified."
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60 mins ago13:14 Lauran O'TooleWhat don't we know?
It is unclear at this stage whether there have been any casulaties.
We do not know as of yet why the light aircraft crashed.
1 hour ago12:54 Lauran O'TooleAir Accidents Investigation Branch assisting investigation
Police have confirmed that they are assisting the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in its investigation into the light aircraft crash.
The specialist agency examines the causes of civil aviation accidents across the United Kingdom.
2 hours ago12:33 Lauran O'Toole'Incident is ongoing'
The force say the "incident is ongoing".
A large emergency response remains at the scene.
2 hours ago12:24 Lauran O'Toole
Police confirm plane crash
Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed to The Express that a light aircraft crashed near Dunkeswell Airfield shortly before 10am this morning.
2 hours ago12:22 Lauran O'TooleA spokesperson said: "Police were called shortly after 10am on Friday 26 June following a report of a light aircraft crashing near to Dunkeswell Airfield.
"Emergency services attended the scene.
"We are continuing to work with our colleagues at The Air Accident Investigation Branch.
"The incident is ongoing and we will issue updates when in a position to do so."
What is Dunkeswell Aerodrome?
Dunkeswell Aerodrome is an airfield in East Devon.
It was built between 1942 and 1943 and is located next to the village of Dunkeswell.
The airfield offers a mix of general aviation, flight instruction, skydiving, Spitfire flights, helicopter flights and occasionally wing walking.
2 hours ago12:18 Lauran O'TooleFootage shows large emergency presence
The below image shows the large emergency presence currently at the airfield.
Fire service confirm they 'have three appliances' scene
Devon and Somerset Fire Service have confirmed to the Express that they "have three appliances at Dunkeswell".
2 hours ago11:56 Lauran O'Toole'Police blue lighting to Dunkeswell Airfield'
A witness told DevonLive they saw a large emergency response at Dunkeswell Airfield on Friday morning.
They said: "About 20 fire engines, ambulances, incident response and police blue lighting to Dunkeswell Airfield."
Emergency services have not yet confirmed the scale of the response or the nature of the incident.
2 hours ago11:51 Lauran O'ToolePolice issue update
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Emergency services are currently in the Dunkeswell area following an incident which was reported at around 10am.
"We’ll provide further updates in due course."
2 hours ago11:50 Lauran O'TooleLive images shows air ambulance at the scene
The following live image shows that an air ambulance at the scene.
'Ongoing incident'
One user on X wrote: "Ongoing incident near Dunkeswell aerodrome. Emergency services are in attendance."
3 hours ago11:43 Lauran O'TooleDevon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirm attendance
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed their attendance.
The fire service say three engines are at the scene.
Reports that a plane has crashed
Locals are reporting that a plane has crashed but this is unconfirmed.
We have contacted the emergency services and are awaiting an update from them.
3 hours ago11:36 Lauran O'TooleGood morning
Good morning. My name is Lauran O'Toole and welcome to our live coverage.
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A major incident appears to be underway at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon.
We will provide you with live updates as and when we receive them.
