Salford plane crash: Two men suffer burns

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Local resident Paul York describes the immediate aftermath of the crash

Two men are critically ill in hospital with serious burns after their plane hit two houses in Salford.

The pilot and passenger, one in his late 50s and the other aged 21, were taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, where the older man is "very critical".

Their light aircraft crashed in Newlands Avenue, Peel Green, at about 12:20 BST on Friday.

The plane, operated by Ravenair flying school, was on fire as it took off from Barton Aerodrome, the BBC understands.

Some residents living near the crash site said such incidents were a constant worry.

Lyn Browning, who witnessed the crash, said it was the nightmare she had been dreading.

Emergency accommodation

"Lots of us round here have problems because of the aircraft taking off and landing and the way they come over the flats," she said.

"It's terrible, when you're driving on the A57 - nine times out of 10 you wonder whether they are going to land on your car."

Local councillor and Salford Council deputy leader David Lancaster said: "We always listen when concerns have been raised."

However, he added: "We've got to remember the airport was there before the residents. An independent report by inspectors will decide whether any precautions are needed."

He said a number of families had spent the night in emergency accommodation.

Emergency crews described how people nearby, including a man who had been in one of the homes hit by the plane, helped put out flames after the crash.

The older man in the plane suffered 70% burns while the younger man had 60% burns.

Mark Frimston, who lives in nearby flats, said the noise of the crash was "as if a bomb went off".

He said that when he went outside he "could see the plane embedded into the side of a house".

Another eyewitness, John Kavanagh, 56, said his "blood turned cold" as the explosion ripped through the area.

He said: "It felt like everything shook - the houses and cars - and then smoke rose up high into the sky.

"I thought it was a gas explosion.

"The people that survived this have had a miracle escape."

Partly demolished

In a statement, Ravenair said: "Our primary concern is for the welfare of the two persons on board the aircraft and their family and friends.

"We wish to express our gratitude and thanks to all of the emergency services and general public who assisted in the initial moments of the Two injured as plane hits homesaccident."

The plane hit the upper floor of one of the houses

The Liverpool-based company posted a note on its website in May saying it was winding up its operations at the airport on 31 July.

It stated: "The decision was made as a result of a review of the commercial viability at the site due to costs and a reduction in business."

A spokesperson for the aerodrome said: "A Piper PA38 Tomahawk single-engine light aircraft with two people on board took off from City Airport [Barton Aerodrome] at 12:19 BST today.

"After take-off, the aircraft flew a short distance before coming down in Newlands Avenue, Salford."

One of the properties hit by the plane suffered severe structural damage, and part of it was due to be demolished as crews work to make the scene safe.

A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said a team had been deployed to the crash site and an investigation was under way.