Plane plunges into sea at English air show

EASTBOURNE, England -- The pilot of a single-seater aircraft is believed to have been killed in a crash during an air show in southern England.

The accident happened at 2:20 p.m (1320 GMT) on Friday during the Eastbourne Airborne Show.

A police spokeswoman said the Czech-built Delphin aircraft plunged into the English Channel as it performed a manoeuvre in front of a large crowd which had gathered on the seafront.

MESSAGE BOARD Air safety

She told CNN.com: "A light aircraft, believed to be a single-seat jet, has come down in the sea off Eastbourne.

"We understand a body has been recovered and the plane has sunk."

Witness Laurence Roche told Sky News: "It was spinning round maneouvred too far and ditched into the water.

"There was a plume of smoke and a splash and parts of the aircraft were thrown up into the air.

"The aircraft was banking back round trying to complete a loop-the-loop manoeuvre, but it could not finish and ditched into the sea.

"I don't think it was engine trouble, I think the pilot tried to be over adventurous."

The accident happened on the second day of the four-day airshow. Police say the event has been cancelled and an inquiry into the crash will be held.

No details of the pilot have been released yet.

The annual free show is on and over Eastbourne's Western Lawns and sea front and was to feature RAF and commercial flying displays, along with arena performances, ground displays and rides.

For more Europe news, myCNN.com will bring you news from the areas and subjects you select.

CAA - Civil Aviation Authority
Eastbourne Events 2000
Sussex Police UK

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.