Woman pilot killed in plane crash

Aug 22 2009

A female pilot died when her light aircraft crashed at Silverstone Circuit, police have said.

The American woman, who was the only person on board the aircraft, was pronounced dead at the scene, Thames Valley Police said.

There were no other injuries, a force spokeswoman added.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is investigating.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said the crash happened in the south-west coroner of the racing circuit, in Buckinghamshire.

Police said the aircraft had been taking part in an acrobatic show when it came down on the circuit.

The spokeswoman said: "Thames Valley Police is currently at the scene of an aircraft crash at Silverstone, Dadford Road, Buckingham.

"Police were notified at 12.12pm that a single aircraft taking part in an acrobatic show at Silverstone had come down on the circuit.

"The pilot, an American woman, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"No one else was injured in the incident. Investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority are on their way to the scene to begin their investigation."