Light aircraft crashes and bursts into flames in Sussex

A light aircraft crashed and burst into flames near woods in Sussex today.

The plane came down in open ground near the village of Cross in Hand in Heathfield shortly after 11am.

MailOnline understands the plane was controlled by a private pilot who had just taken off from the nearby Voliamo Flying School.

Police and ambulance crews responded to the incident while firefighters put out the flames.

The plane came down in open ground near the village of Cross in Hand in Heathfield shortly after 11am

The Air Accident Investigations Branch is investigating today's crash.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: 'Crews were called following reports of a light aircraft crash.

'They used one in seven foam to extinguish the fire.'

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it had sent 'a number of resources' to the scene.

Sussex Police said: 'The aircraft came down in open ground'.

There was another plane crash in the area in 2016, when the pilot crashed into a tree. He was the only person on board and escaped unhurt.