The pilot of a light aircraft who died after his plane crashed to the ground in Oxfordshire was a man in his 60s.

Police today said the man, who was killed when his plane crashed at Aston Rowant Nature Reserve at around 2.30pm yesterday, was from Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire.

His next of kin have been informed.

The airfield manager of Turweston Aerodrome in the county confirmed on Facebook that the plane was based there.

Police were called to reports of the crash at 2.35pm and officers remain at the scene along with ambulance and fire crews.

Simon Denham said his partner heard the plane just before it crashed.

He said: "My partner said she heard an aircraft going over the house, she said it sounded like it was struggling or breaking down and was low.

"This was at about 2.30pm over Lewknor."

A spokesperson for Turweston Aerodrome said the airfield had not yet issued a statement and did not know if it was going to do so.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "Sadly, the pilot of the aircraft, a man, has been pronounced dead at the scene.

"The emergency services remain at the scene, and an investigation into the incident will take place."

Herald Series:

The force said there were no road closures in place as the crash site wasn't close enough to any roads. 

The crash is believed to have happened just off Aston Hill, A40.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it had sent a team to investigate the incident.

Police helicopter unit NPAS Benson said it sent a helicopter to the scene of the crash, but low cloud prevented crews from landing.

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