Aircraft crash victim 'was due to start dream job'

The family of one of two men who died in plane crash have paid tribute to a "deeply loving father and a devoted husband".

Arian Abbasi, 36, a pilot from Harrow in Greater London, has been named as one of two victims of the small aircraft crash in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

The small Cirrus SR 20 plane came down close to the M62 on a farmland in Littleborough at about 11:00 GMT on Tuesday.

"He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support," Abbasi's family said.

"Flying was his passion. He was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline, a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination."

Emergency services went to the crash on Tuesday, where two men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The aircraft had taken off earlier that morning from Birmingham.

The second victim has not yet been identified.

Police are still searching for a part of the parachute system which contains propellant.

The missing part has not yet been located, police have said, due to the "nature of the terrain and the wide area over which it may have travelled", police have said.

The device measures approximately 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm long and has a red anodised finish.

It weighs less than 2 kg, and may have a silver metal collar attached at one end.

Greater Manchester Police are warning anyone who may come across the device not to touch it and to contact them immediately.

The plane was confirmed to have been owned by Daedalus Aviation - a West Midlands- based organisation offering pilot training and commercial flying experiences.

Daedalus Aviation has been contacted for comment.

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