Pilot died after striking trees in foggy conditions

At the time of the accident, police closed Pebmarsh Road and the pilot was pronounced dead at the scene

A light aircraft pilot died after striking trees while flying in foggy conditions, investigators found.

The 72-year-old man had set off from Old Buckenham Airfield, in Norfolk, to Earls Colne in Essex on 21 August 2023.

An investigation report said he decided to turn back during the 25-minute flight after encountering adverse weather conditions.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch report recommended the Civil Aviation Authority publish "guidance for general aviation pilots on responding to unexpected weather deterioration".

CCTV footage captured the aircraft leaving Old Buckenham Airfield

"The meteorological conditions would have presented a severe test of his flying skills, with a high risk that the pilot would become spatially disorientated," the report said.

Emergency services were called to a field close to Stanley Hall, a Grade II-listed property in Pebmarsh, near Halstead, Essex, at about 09:20 BST.

Police said the pilot was pronounced dead at the scene.

The aircraft struck trees twice before falling to the ground

The plane was seen to drop out of sight behind a barn before a witness heard an explosion and saw black smoke.

No pre-accident defects were identified by the AAIB but there was evidence of a significant post-accident fire.

The AAIB report "did not find any evidence" that the pilot had checked weather conditions before leaving Old Buckenham.

The aircraft was a Piper PA-28-180 made in 1970.