Beagle B121 Pup Crashes Near Havering, Man Found Dead
A Beagle B121 Pup plane crashed just after taking off from North Weald Airfield near Havering on Sunday, December 28. The tiny aircraft went down close to Hanningfield Reservoir, triggering a huge emergency response before noon.
Diving Teams Recover Pilot’s Body After Intense Search
Police were called to the serious incident shortly after 2pm. After a painstaking search, divers pulled the body of a man from the reservoir on December 30. He is believed to be the only person on board the crashed plane.
Chief Superintendent Waheed Khan said: “I would firstly like to recognise that someone has lost their life in tragic circumstances. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this incident.”
He added that identification is being handled sensitively with the HM Coroner and no official confirmation will be made until then. The search involved police officers, the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), Metropolitan Police divers, and sonar equipment scanning the reservoir floor.
No Foul Play Suspected & Water Supply Safe
- Essex Police confirmed no suspicious circumstances around the crash.
- An official report is being prepared for the coroner as investigations continue.
- Essex and Suffolk Water assured locals the reservoir crash hasn’t impacted water supply.
A spokesperson for Essex and Suffolk Water said: “Essex and Suffolk water teams are managing the reservoir carefully to ensure that water quality and ecology are protected.”
Authorities Thank Public for Patience During Search
Chief Superintendent Khan praised the joint effort, saying: “This was highly-detailed work by specialists from multiple agencies. I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we carried out this search.”
Responsibility for further recovery and the reservoir now lies with the site owners as investigations proceed.
