TWO men were killed when a light aircraft crashed seconds after making an unauthorised take off from Barton Aerodrome today. The pilot and a passenger - both in their 30s - died instantly. Airport officials said the plane took off without permission, two hours before any flights were allowed.

Airfield director Eric Whitworth, from Harwood, confirmed that the plane had not registered after landing yesterday evening.

No emergency vehicles were due to be on standby at the airport until 9am.

The accident is the second tragedy at the Eccles aerodrome recently. Only five weeks ago a pilot and navigator of a World War Two De Havilland Mosquito were killed in front of thousands of horrified spectators during an air display. Today's tragedy happened at 7am. Eye-witnesses said the Rallye two-seater plane suddenly fell from 50ft and crashed in a field behind the Makro trading centre off Liverpool Road, Eccles.

Within minutes a fleet of fire engines, ambulances and police cars were at the scene and the area was sealed off.

A police spokesman said the men had little chance.

Firefighters cut their bodies from the wreckage.

Officials from the Air Accident Investigation Bureau have mounted a full investigation.

Worsley MP Terry Lewis said he was saddened by news of the latest crash but he still had every confidence in the operations at Barton.

Mr Lewis said: "It would seem that there has just been a run of bad luck. There are thousands of air movements going through Barton every year and when taken into context it proves the aerodrome can still be considered safe.

He added: "I have every faith in the Civil Aviation Authority and the stringent rules it sets down and in the Air Accident Investigation team."

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