Police investigate ‘serious incident’ after plane crashes into reservoir
Police have launched an investigation after a small plane went into the water at a reservoir in Essex.
While officers remained at the scene, Essex Police said the “serious incident” occurred at Hanningfield Reservoir in Chelmsford, Essex, shortly after 2pm on Sunday.
Police did not confirm how many people were on board or whether there were any casualties.
A “multidisciplinary team” of Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) investigators was also deployed to the area.
Flightradar24 shows that the 1970 Beagle B121 Pup aircraft did not land at its intended destination and its journey ended near the middle of the reservoir at 14:03 on Sunday.
The aircraft, produced in 1970 and numbered G-AZDG, departed from North Weald Airport at 11.54 and was heading to London Southend Airport.
Chief Inspector Waheed Khan of Essex Police said: “We are still in the early stages of our investigation and are working closely with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) to establish what happened.”
Essex Wildlife Trust has announced that Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Park remains closed.
The statement said: “As this is a police and emergency services matter, we cannot comment further.
“We are doing everything we can to support them. We hope to reopen tomorrow, but will keep the public informed via our website and social media channels when we know more.”
An AAIB spokesman said: “An accident involving an aircraft at Hanningford Reservoir has been reported to the AAIB.
“An investigation was launched and a multi-disciplinary team of investigators was dispatched to the scene of the accident.”
Southend Airport and North Weald Airport said they were unable to comment on the incident.
Epping Forest District Council, which owns North Weald Airport but does not operate any flights, also declined to comment as the matter is currently a police matter.
