A pilot who died after a crash near Headcorn Aerodrome has been described as a "very dear friend" and talented aviator.

Angus Buchanan was killed after the light aircraft he was flying crashed into a field between Maidstone and Ashford yesterday afternoon.

Mr Buchanan's team mates at the Stampe Formation Display Team have released a picture of the pilot and paid tribute to him.

The team, of which Mr Buchanan was a long-standing member, put on air show acts.

The members said: “It is with deepest sadness that we have to announce the death of Angus Buchanan yesterday.

"An active and long-standing display pilot with the Stampe Formation Team, Angus was an extremely experienced and talented aviator and engineer with many flying hours under his belt.

"We have all lost a very dear friend who leaves a gap in all of our lives that can never be filled and all of our thoughts are now with his family to whom we send our most sincere and deepest condolences.”

A witness said the aircraft was one of three bi-planes being flown. He added it appeared to 'have performed a stall turn and lost control.' A member of the Stampe team confirmed Mr Buchanan had been flying a 1940s vintage biplane at the time of the crash.

In his profile on the team's site, Mr Buchanan writes how he recalled gluing his fingers to many airfix models, before graduating to towing balsa wood aircraft behind his bike.

It adds: "Having learned to fly at Prestwick, with a long runway and "Airport Procedures", relocation to Headcorn and a chance encounter with the Tiger club was a culture shock. Something went right, leading to purchase of the fabled G-AWEF from the Tiger Club in 2004 - the log book of which is a who's who of aviation's good and great, the majority of whom cut their aerobatic teeth in this beautiful machine."

Over 24 years, Mr Buchanan built a Sequoia Falco plane, starting in his flat in Scotland. He later moved to the south-east.

He won an award, given by the Light Aircraft Association, for his creation. He was not flying this plane yesterday.

Mr Buchanan was also part of a team which helped Benenden School pupils build their own light aircraft, which was completed in 2018.

Mr Buchanan took part in a poppy drop on Remembrance Day, for the village of Headcorn, according to a statement on the village Facebook page.

The post reads: "Although individually we didn’t all know Angus Buchanan, collectively we feel we did.

"We have watched him and his Stampe friends display their skills above our heads for years. The joy they bring is palpable.

"Most of all each November they honour our Remembrance Day parade with a poppy drop that makes the ceremony even more moving than it already is."

Two fire engines were sent to the incident along with police and ambulance crews. The air ambulance was also sent to the scene.

A statement from Kent Police said: "At 4.25pm, Kent Police was notified that a light aircraft had crashed in a field near Headcorn.

"Officers are currently at the scene working with partner agencies including the South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service to establish the circumstances. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been informed."

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch confirmed an investigation into the crash has begun.

A statement said: “We have been notified of an accident involving a light aircraft that occurred near Headcorn Airfield in Kent.

"A team of inspectors have been sent to commence an investigation.”

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