A tragic plane crash in Littleborough, Rochdale, claimed the life of pilot Arian Abbasi, aged 36, along with another man whose identity has not yet been disclosed. The accident occurred when a Cirrus SR20 light aircraft crashed on farmland, sparking an outpouring of grief from family and friends who described Abbasi as a devoted father and husband.
Abbasi was preparing to embark on an exciting new chapter in his life as a commercial airline pilot, with a start date set for February 23, 2024. His family revealed that flying was his passion and that he had worked tirelessly to achieve this dream. They expressed their heartbreak, stating, “He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support.”
The incident unfolded around 11:00 hours local time when emergency services were alerted to the crash site, located between Blackstone Edge and Hollingworth Lake. A parachute was later found tangled in an electricity pylon, believed to be part of the aircraft’s automatic emergency system. Fortunately, there were no other passengers on board, and no injuries were reported on the ground.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the aircraft had departed from Birmingham Airport shortly before 10:00 hours, flying for approximately 40 minutes before losing signal near Marsden, West Yorkshire. A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport confirmed that a private light aircraft had taken off from its XLR Executive Jet Centre.
Investigation Underway
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Cirrus Aircraft models, including the SR20, are equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), designed to deploy a parachute in emergencies to enable a safe descent. This safety feature is standard on all Cirrus SR20 aircraft.
The aircraft was operated by Daedalus Aviation, a company based at Birmingham Airport that specializes in pilot training. Both Abbasi and his unnamed co-pilot were known to frequently fly from Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport, a former RAF base that now serves as an aviation hub.
As investigations continue, the Greater Manchester Police has issued a statement regarding the search for part of the parachute system. They are looking for a device that contains propellant and has yet to be located. Officers noted, “The nature of the terrain, and the wide area over which it may have travelled, has made finding the device very difficult.”
The device is described as measuring approximately 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm long, with a red anodised finish and weighing less than 2 kg. It may feature a silver metal collar attached at one end. Authorities have urged the public not to handle the device if discovered and to contact the police immediately via 101 or their Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1056 of March 2, 2026.
The tragic loss of Arian Abbasi serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with aviation, underscoring the importance of safety measures and thorough investigations in the aftermath of such incidents.
