Investigation begins into stately home plane crash
An investigation has begun after a light aircraft crashed at a stately home injuring two people.
Emergency services were called to Heveningham Hall - a Grade I listed mansion - near Halesworth, Suffolk at about 13:07 BST on Sunday.
The East of England Ambulance Service said a man and a woman were taken to Ipswich Hospital with minor injuries.
A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said: "An accident involving a light aircraft which occurred on Sunday at Heveningham Hall was notified to the AAIB. We have commenced an investigation."
Shortly after the crash, an eyewitness told the BBC: "The light aircraft crashed whilst attempting to land.
"Both occupants were able to exit, but then needed medical assistance."
The incident occurred almost a year after an American World War Two plane crashed at the same site, seriously injuring the pilot.
A Grumman FM2 aircraft, known as a Wildcat, was one of 13 historic planes that were set to feature at the Heveningham Country Fair in July 2023.
An AAIB report, published last week, said the Wildcat flipped upon landing and was likely caused by turbulent weather softening the grass runway.
Event organisers told the AAIB they were planning to "implement additional operational coordination and risk management measures" for future events.
Sunday's incident was the second plane crash in Suffolk at the weekend.
Four people were treated by the ambulance service on Saturday morning after a light aircraft crashed on landing at Beccles airfield.
It remained unclear whether the AAIB had started an investigation.
The AAIB is an independent unit within the Department for Transport which investigates civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents in order to improve aviation safety.
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