Two men have died after a light aircraft crashed into farmland near Littleborough at around 11am on Tuesday 3 February.
Emergency services were called to the scene in the Rochdale district, where the wreckage of a small Cirrus plane was discovered. Both men on board were pronounced dead at the scene. No one else is believed to have been involved and no injuries have been reported on the ground.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the aircraft had taken off from Birmingham earlier in the day.
A large police and emergency services presence remains in the area, with a cordon in place while investigations continue. The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has now arrived and is leading the inquiry into the cause of the crash.
Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis from GMP's Rochdale division described it as a “devastating incident” and offered condolences to the victims’ families and friends. He added that officers would remain at the scene overnight to assist the investigation.
“There will be an enhanced presence as officers and investigators comprehensively survey the area and ensure all available evidence is recovered,” said Chief Supt Inglis.
GMP has urged anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to come forward by calling 101 or using the Live Chat service on their website, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26.
National Grid engineers also attended to ensure the site was made safe. There is not expected to be any disruption to local electricity supplies, though residents in the surrounding area may experience some minor inconvenience while the scene is secured.
The crash happened near Littleborough, an area which has recently been affected by severe winter weather. Nearby routes such as the A58 and A640 have faced repeated closures due to heavy snow and ice.
The investigation into what led to the crash remains ongoing, with both the AAIB and GMP confirming they will release further updates in due course.
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