Hawarden Airport, Flintshire, plane crash, Man and woman killed at Airbus UK Two die after light aircraft crashes at Hawarden Airport in Flintshire Dramatic photos show plane hurtling nose-first towards the ground Pilot Gary Vickers, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his female passenger died later in hospital North Wales Police are investigating the incident at 1.10pm yesterday By Sophie Jane Evans and Harriet Arkell These horrific pictures show the moment a light aircraft crashed into the ground while trying to land - killing both of the people on board. Pilot Gary Vickers, 58, died instantly and his female passenger died later in hospital after the crash, which happened near an Airbus UK factory in Flintshire, north Wales, yesterday. The photos show the twin-engine plane doing a tight turn above a runway at Hawarden Airport - just seconds before hurtling nose-first towards the ground. Horrific: The light aircraft hurtles nose-first through the air - just seconds before smashing into the ground Disaster: The plane, pictured performing a tight turn in the air, was trying to land when it veered out of control Fatal: Pilot Gary Vickers, 58, died instantly and his female passenger died later in hospital after the incident, which happened near an Airbus UK factory in Flintshire, north Wales, yesterday It then smashes into the runway at high speed - causing the aircraft to flip over and break into pieces. Today, Mr Vickers's father Gordon paid tribute to 'an excellent pilot' whose passion was taking to the skies. 'All the family are devastated,' said Mr Vickers, who ran the Mill Hotel & Spa in Chester with his son. Gary was an excellent pilot, both single and twin aircraft, with hundreds of hours in his log book. Flying was his passion. I do not think it was pilot error - more of an engine failure. But we will have to wait and see. Wreckage: Police were called to the scene at Hawarden Airport at about 1.10pm, where they discovered the wreckage of the doomed aircraft Response: North Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent three appliances to the scene - however, the remains of the plane were dealt with by on-site firefighters from the nearby Airbus factory 'It looked pretty bad': Police said a full investigation would be undertaken to establish the full circumstances of the fatal crash Police were called to the airport at about 1.10pm, where they discovered the wreckage of the doomed plane. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent three appliances to the scene - however, the remains of the plane were dealt with by on-site firefighters from the nearby Airbus factory. The woman has not yet been formally identified, and no-one else was onboard. A spokesman for Airbus said the crash at the Hawarden airfield did not involve one of its aircraft - adding: 'The company would like to extend its sympathy to the family and friends of those who lost their lives.' Today, North Wales Police said: 'We are working with the AAIB to establish what caused the plane to crash. The AAIB will lead the investigation. North Wales Police are currently not in a position to identify the woman who died. The coroner has been informed.