Two men have tragically lost their lives following an aircraft crash in farmland earlier this week, with one identified as a beloved flight instructor from the Midlands.
Fatal Incident in Rochdale
Greater Manchester Police reported that the aircraft, which had taken off from Birmingham, crashed in the Littleborough area of Rochdale. Emergency services rushed to the scene just after 11am on Tuesday, February 3, but sadly, both men were pronounced dead at the location.
The pilot has been named as 36-year-old Arian Abbasi from Harrow in Greater London. The second man involved in the crash has not yet been publicly identified by authorities.
Heartfelt Tributes to a Passionate Pilot
Family members of Arian Abbasi have paid moving tribute to him, describing him as a "deeply loving father and a devoted husband". They emphasised that he lived his life for his family and friends, providing constant love and support.
His family revealed that flying was his true passion, and he was on the verge of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on February 23. This represented a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination over many years.
Community Mourns a Cherished Instructor
Condolences have flooded social media platforms since the tragedy, with many sharing their memories of Abbasi. One individual disclosed that his son was taught how to fly by Abbasi at Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport.
He recalled: "Very sad news. I knew Arian well, he taught my son to fly at Halfpenny Green. He was always cheerful, loved his job and enjoyed teaching people to fly. He'd not long landed an airline job from what my son was telling me after years of flying and training. Such a sad loss for all of the flying community."
Other social media users expressed their sorrow, with one writing: "Heartbreaking. Thoughts with the families of both the men," while another added: "Rip young man so sad thinking of the family and friends."
Ongoing Police Investigation
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that officers do not believe there was anyone else on board the aircraft, and there are no reported injuries on the ground following the crash.
As investigations continue, police are searching for a specific part of the plane's parachute system that contains propellant and has not yet been located. The device measures approximately 10cm in diameter and 30cm long, with a red anodised finish, weighing less than 2kg. It may have a silver metal collar attached at one end.
Authorities have warned the public about the challenging terrain and wide search area, making finding the device particularly difficult. They have issued a clear instruction: Please do not handle the device if you see it. Instead, contact police immediately via 101 or their Live Chat service, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26.
The aviation community and local residents continue to mourn the loss of these two individuals, particularly remembering Arian Abbasi for his cheerful demeanor and dedication to teaching others the joy of flight.
