Pictured: 65-year-old stunt pilot Aidan Grimley who died in horrific small plane crash at former RAF airfield after he 'decided to make a low pass that went wrong'

A stunt aviator killed successful a fearfulness clang astatine a erstwhile RAF airfield after helium 'decided to marque a debased walk that went wrong' has been pictured for the archetypal time.

Flight teacher Aidan Grimley, 65, died aft his tiny level crash-landed astatine Spanhoe Airfield, adjacent Corby, Northants.

The 'legendary wingman', understood to beryllium a joined begetter from Alderley Edge, Cheshire, passed distant astatine the country connected Saturday, July 13.

The clang is being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), who volition probe the circumstances and origin of the incident.

Tributes person besides been paid online to the adept stunt pilot, who was described arsenic being 1 of the country's starring aerobatic instructors. 

Paramedics and constabulary scrambled to the erstwhile RAF tract soon earlier 1pm aft receiving exigency calls astir a airy craft crash.

Mr Grimley was the lone idiosyncratic successful the craft and declared dormant astatine the scene.

While authorities are investigating the tragedy, the British Aerobatic Academy said that the experienced aviator 'decided to marque a debased walk which went wrong'.

In a connection posted connected Facebook, the relation confirmed: 'Very sadly Aidan had an mishap connected Saturday.

'He had a fewer hours disconnected enactment truthful flew up to Spanhoe solo to spot a person and decided to marque a debased walk which went wrong, unluckily helium did not survive.

'He was a large friend, overmuch loved by truthful many, a unsocial quality wholly devoted to flying and aerobatics and volition beryllium precise sadly missed.'

Flying teacher Captain John Sham, a erstwhile combatant aviator with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, said connected Instagram: 'Today, I mourn the nonaccomplishment of different cherished comrade, a legendary wingman whose tone soared done the skies.

'This greeting brought the heartbreaking quality of my beloved aviator person from the UK, who tragically mislaid his beingness successful an accident.

'As I navigate this travel of aviation, I find myself grieving yet different loss. While my bosom is dense with sadness, I americium profoundly grateful for the clip I shared with him arsenic a person and arsenic an exceptional aerobatic instructor.

'His contented during my airshow grooming volition everlastingly resonate with me: 'Aerobatics is similar an orchestra—sometimes aggressive, sometimes graceful. It's each successful however we behaviour it. Keep it elemental and safe, yet ever impressive.'

Mr Sham added: 'To each my chap pilots, fto this beryllium a reminder to stay beardown and united, support soaring, and prioritise information successful each we do. Never springiness up. Let the sacrifices of each our fallen aviation heroes beryllium the cornerstone of our intent present connected earth.

'Aidan Grimley, I volition transportation your representation successful my bosom always. Each airshow volition basal arsenic a tribute to your interaction connected my life. I americium honoired to person known you, and I volition miss you dearly. Farewell, my friend. May you beryllium astatine peaceful rest.'

Pupils trained by Mr Grimley remembered him arsenic a 'brilliant instructor' and an 'exceptional person'.

Martin O'Grady commented connected Facebook: 'This is devastating news. I loved flying with Aidan. He was truthful wholly relaxing to alert with and gave maine tons of confidence. And connected the crushed helium was large fun, with tons of stories, laughter and joy. He volition beryllium greatly missed and truthful precise atrocious for his woman and young child.'

Arjan Vlietman posted: 'So devastated to perceive astir the nonaccomplishment of Aidan.

'He has been cardinal to my aerobatic flying and an inspiration arsenic a existent aviator. His skills, cheerfulness and information to thatch were unlimited.'

And Umberto Izzo added: 'Aidan is simply a immense nonaccomplishment helium was the champion pilot, mentor, teacher I had the privilege to cognize and wide helium was a large idiosyncratic and a truly bully friend.'

Posting a video connected societal media, chap aviator Onno Hoevers wrote: 'To the family, British Aerobatic Academy and each friends of Aidan Grimley: successful summation to each the good words and pictures past days hereby a abbreviated video of america aft landing.

'I recorded the week earlier respective aerobatic flights from the backseat of the Extra200 for debriefing purposes.

'On Saturday the 1st of June, I had my past formation with Aidan earlier I visited that play the Duxford Airshow.

'I deliberation and anticipation it would beryllium appreciated for each the [sic] spot and perceive his dependable to retrieve him.'

Spanhoe Airfield, besides known arsenic RAF Spanhoe, was opened successful 1943 and utilized during World War Two by some the British and United States aerial forces.

Since 1947 the site, which lies astir 80 miles north-northwest of London, has been deployed lone precise occasionally by the equipped forces and is mostly utilized for agriculture purposes though 1 runway remains.

Anyone who whitethorn person accusation that could assistance with the probe is asked to telephone Northamptonshire Police connected 101, quoting incidental fig 242 of 13/07/24.