The plane ‘rolled over completely upside down and snapped in two pieces’ just after take-off, according to one eyewitness
21:23, 29 Apr 2025Updated 22:14, 29 Apr 2025
Emergency services were called to the scene(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Two people are seriously injured, with one fighting for their life in hospital, after a nightmare plane crash.
The plane ‘snapped in two pieces’ and crashed just after take-off, one eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News. The scene at Barton Aerodrome this evening, April 29, was filled with emergency services, crime scene investigators, and blue lights as work to understand what happened began.
Police, paramedics and firefighters rushed to the airport in Eccles, Salford at about 5.30pm. Two men were rushed to Salford Royal Hospital.
The witness, who asked not to be named, said: “The plane taxied down the runway and upon reaching the end of the runway there was a loud pop sound and the engine cut-off after the plane had already taken off and was about two or three metres in the air.
“It continued to coast at a really low altitude before the wing struck the ground on one side. It then rolled over completely upside down and the plane snapped into two pieces.
“They then sounded an alarm and over the course of the next five to 10 minutes around 20 or so emergency vehicles arrived including police fire and ambulance.”
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The men’s injuries were initially described as ‘non-life-threatening’, but Greater Manchester Police have since revealed a harrowing picture.
“Two men have been taken to hospital, one with life-threatening injuries and another with potentially life-changing injuries,” said the force in a statement just before 7pm.
“A scene is in place whilst emergency service workers conduct their enquiries and people are asked to avoid the area.”
Blue lights remain at the aerodrome tonight(Image: Kenny Brown)
Barton Aerodrome has said that the government’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been informed. A spokesperson for the airport said: “Today at 5.07pm an aircraft accident occurred within the Barton Aerodrome boundary, the AAIB have been informed and are carrying out an investigation.
“Our onsite rescue and firefighting service attended the incident and have worked alongside external emergency services.”
Still surrounded by blue lights and emergency service vehicles, the wreckage of the aircraft could be seen as the light faded on the aerodrome field.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 5.30pm today three fire engines from across Greater Manchester and the technical response unit attended an aircraft crash at Barton Aerodrome, Eccles.
“Firefighters arrived quickly and assisted Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and the airport fire service in making the area safe and helping two casualties out of the aircraft.
“Both casualties were transferred into the care of North West Ambulance Service and transferred to Salford Royal Hospital. Crews were in attendance for roughly one hour.”
The aerodrome added that ‘further details will be provided when available’.