A SIXTY-eight-year-old pilot has died after the World War I plane he was controlling crashed into a field and burst into the flames.

The pilot from Horsham, who has not been named, was killed after the single-engine, single-wing replica First World War aircraft he was in crashed yesterday afternoon.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch and Hampshire police are now investigating how the accident at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, happened on Saturday afternoon.

Internet footage of the incident showed several period planes flying in procession before cutting to one of planes in a field on fire.

The pilot was the only person aboard the plane at the time of the crash and was declared dead at the scene following the crash at just before 5pm on Saturday.

The plane has since been recovered from the crash site and police have confirmed that the dead man’s family has been notified.

Eyewitnesses said the believed the plane may have been flying in a group of replica historic aircraft.

Witness Nick Bayes, from Andover, said he saw about 12 planes in the air when the accident happened, some of which seemed to him to be flying close together.

He told the BBC: "I was returning home and saw a large number of replica aircraft doing circuits over the airfield. There were maybe a dozen or so in the air.

"It was unusual because they were so close together. If it was not a display itself, it looked like they were practising for a display."

He said that he did not see the crash itself but he saw smoke coming from where the aircraft came down.

He added: "The whole incident is very tragic."

A spokesman for the AAIB said: "The branch is aware of the incident and inspectors are investigating."

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "Police are currently working with the AAIB to establish the cause of the crash and anyone with further information is asked to contact Hampshire Constabulary."