Two people died during a flight experience when their light aircraft crashed in a field, police have said.
The two-seat Cessna plane came down off Mill Lane in High Ongar, Essex, at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday.
It had set off from North Weald Airfield on “what was expected to be a short journey,” Det Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) described it as an “accident” and said its inspectors’ inquiries were ongoing.
At a press conference in High Ongar, Cronin said the victims were yet to be formally identified.
“The two-seat Cessna aircraft was carrying out a short flying experience flight but, sadly, it did not return,” Cronin told reporters.
“This is likely to be a complex process and one we will approach sensitively and compassionately.”