A man killed in a light aircraft crash in Rochdale has been named as Arian Abbasi, 36, from Harrow in Greater London. His family have described him as a “deeply loving father and a devoted husband”.
Emergency services were called shortly after 11am on Tuesday 3 February to reports of an aircraft down in farmland near Littleborough. Despite efforts from paramedics, both men onboard were declared dead at the scene. No one else was injured and there were no casualties on the ground.
Mr Abbasi, a qualified pilot, was set to begin a new career with a commercial airline later this month. His family said: “Flying was his passion, and he was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on 23 February. It was a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination.”
They described him as someone who “lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support”.
The aircraft is understood to have departed from Birmingham earlier that morning. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with officers from Greater Manchester Police supporting aviation authorities at the scene.
Police have issued an appeal to the public to help locate a missing part of the aircraft’s parachute system. The propellant device is described as measuring around 30cm long and 10cm in diameter, with a red anodised finish. It may have a silver metal collar attached and weighs under 2kg.
Due to the terrain and search area, locating the device has proven difficult. Police are warning residents not to touch the item if found and to report any sightings immediately via 101 or the GMP Live Chat, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26.
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