THE two men who died in a plane crash in Overbury, near Tewkesbury, have been named. 

The light aircraft, a Piper PA-28 single-engine aircraft, crashed in a fields near Overbury, on the slopes of Bredon Hill, at 12.46pm on Monday, January 8.

Pilot John Smith, aged 52, who was originally from Jersey and lived in Moreton-in-Marsh, and a 24-year-old Ahmed Abdullah from Kuwait, who was living in Coventry whilst training, both died in the smash on Monday, January 8.

Police confirmed Mr Smith’s identity and Worcestershire Coroners Service confirmed Mr Abdullah’s. 

Nick Dunn, managing director of Aeros Flight Training, said: "This accident has shocked and saddened everyone in the company. John Smith, the senior instructor at our Coventry business was highly experienced. He was very popular with both his colleagues and his students - enthusiastic, a great communicator and always ready with one of his famous jokes. 

"The student onboard had been training towards qualification as a commercial pilot, intending to join an airline in the near future. 
"We send our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of both pilots."

The cause of this crash is unknown and is being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Superintendent Kevin Purcell from West Mercia Police said: "Our thoughts remain with the families of the two people who have lost their lives.

"The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed. Further information will be issued when available." 

An AAIB spokesman said that the investigation could take up to 12 months before it is concluded and its report published.

The aircraft was thought to have been based at the Gloucestershire Airport at Staverton, between Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Following the crash, Gloucestershire Airport issued a statement, it read: "Two people were killed when the light aircraft they were flying in crashed at Overbury. Our air traffic control staff raised the alarm when contact was lost with the aircraft around 12.40pm. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident."