Two men died on Tuesday after a light aircraft crashed into farmland near Littleborough at around 11am, prompting a major emergency response in the Greater Manchester area.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed both men were pronounced dead at the scene and stated no one else is believed to have been on board. There were no reported injuries on the ground following the crash in the Rochdale district.
The aircraft, identified as a Cirrus SR20, departed Birmingham Airport’s XLR Executive Jet Centre at approximately 10am on Tuesday. Flight tracking data showed the plane traveled for around 40 minutes before the last signal was received south of the M62 motorway near Marsden in West Yorkshire.
Witnesses reported seeing a yellow parachute caught on an electricity pylon near the crash site. Aircraft enthusiast Nigel Stanley from Hollingworth Lake Caravan Park stated the plane appeared to have deployed its onboard parachute before becoming entangled in power lines.
Cirrus aircraft feature a whole plane parachute system as standard equipment, designed to lower the entire aircraft safely in emergencies. Investigators are examining whether the parachute deployment contributed to the crash or if mechanical or human factors were involved.
Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis from Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale district described the incident as devastating and extended condolences to the victims’ families. He said officers and investigators would comprehensively survey the area overnight and urged anyone with information or witnesses to contact authorities.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch launched an investigation and dispatched a multidisciplinary team of inspectors to the accident site. The agency stated it would examine all aspects of the crash to determine the cause.
National Grid confirmed it worked with emergency services to support the response and secure the area, adding the electricity supply remained unaffected despite the parachute becoming caught on transmission lines.
The crash occurred near Hollingworth Lake and Blackstone Edge, an area recently affected by severe winter weather. Local routes including the A58 and A640 have faced repeated closures due to heavy snow and ice conditions.
Emergency services established a cordon around the crash site and asked the public to avoid the area while investigations continue. Police presence will remain enhanced as evidence recovery proceeds.
Martin Kelly, waiting at a bus stop in Elland around 11.30am, reported hearing an aircraft that did not sound right. Stephanie Mills from Dickey Steps Riding School in Littleborough said she did not hear any noise but noticed significant police and helicopter activity in the area.
Greater Manchester Police stated it is working closely with other emergency services and partner agencies to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
