Pilot, 40, killed in plane crash at UK airfield as investigation launched

A major incident has been declared at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon this morning (June 26) with dozens of emergency services vehicles at the scene amid unconfirmed reports of an aircraft incident

Shannon Brown and Kelly Williams Content Editor

11:29, 26 Jun 2026Updated 14:01, 26 Jun 2026

[An outdoor scene features a wooden fence enclosing a grassy field. Several emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and other service vehicles, are parked along the fence line. The background is dominated by a forested area with a clear sky overhead.]

Emergency services are at the scene(Image: Teressa Sidnell)

A pilot has been killed in a light aircraft crash this morning. Emergency services were called to Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon. Numerous fire brigades, police cars, and ambulances raced to the scene.

An air ambulance arrived earlier and departed shortly after, reports Devon Live. A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said three fire engines were attending an incident at Dunkeswell Airfield.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Tragically, the pilot believed to be a woman in her 40s was pronounced deceased at the scene.

[Crews at the scene]

Crews at the scene(Image: Teressa Sidnell)

"Nobody else was on board at the time. Her next of kin has been informed. The Air Accident Investigation Branch has been notified."

Superintendent Jo Arundale said: We will be working closely with The Air Accident Investigation Branch to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash this morning.

We recognise it is a very sad incident and we are appealing to the public not to speculate regarding the crash.

Furthermore, we would like to ask anybody who may have relevant footage to get in touch with us and not to post it online

."Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the person involved.Anybody with relevant footage is asked to call 101 or visit our website quoting log 268 of 26 June."

This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly with the latest news, pictures and videos.

**You can also get email updates on the days biggest stories straight to your inbox ** by signing up for our newsletters.

Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Daily Star every time you see our name.

**Follow Daily Star on Android - ** CLICK HERE

**Follow Daily Star on Apple - ** CLICK HERE

**Follow Daily Star on Snapchat - ** CLICK HERE

Article continues below

You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news by following @starbreaksnews and follow us @dailystar for all the latest updates.

Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at Daily Star. D aily Star, sign up for our newsletters .

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.