Tributes paid to pensioner killed in microlight crash in Northamptonshire

A 70-year-old man died after the microlight he had flown from Sywell Aerodrome crashed in a field near Pitsford

Phil Bendall, of Sutton in Cambridgeshire, suffered fatal injuries after his light aircraft crashed in a field close to the reservoir in Pitsford on Saturday, October 31. Nobody else was injured.

Mr Bendall had travelled from Sywell Aerodrome.

A spokesman at Sywell Aerodrome, Michael Bletsoe-Brown, said: “Obviously everyone here is deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts go out to the pilot’s family and friends.

“The weather was ok at the time and we have no idea what happened at this stage.

“The Air Accident Investigation Bureau were on the scene and will carry out a thorough investigation.”

The pilot was flying an aircraft that was stored in a hangar run by Flylight Airsports Ltd at the airfield.

Rebecca Baker posted on the Flylight Airsports Facebook page: “Rest in peace Phil. You’ll be very much missed by us all.”

Witnesses to the incident can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.