A tragic plane crash in Littleborough, Rochdale, claimed the life of pilot Arian Abbasi, aged 36, just days before he was set to begin a new career as a commercial airline pilot. Abbasi, a father from Harrow in London, was one of two men who died when their Cirrus SR20 light aircraft went down on February 3, 2026. His family described flying as his passion, and they expressed their heartbreak over the loss of a devoted husband and father.
The aircraft crashed around 11:00 local time, prompting a swift response from emergency services. It went down in farmland between Blackstone Edge and Hollingworth Lake. According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), there were no other passengers on board, and no injuries were reported on the ground. The crash site was near an electricity pylon where a parachute, part of the aircraft’s emergency features, was discovered tangled.
In a heartfelt tribute, Abbasi’s family shared their grief, stating, “He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support. Flying was his passion, and he was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on February 23; a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination.”
The Cirrus SR20 had taken off from Birmingham Airport shortly before 10:00, flying for approximately 40 minutes before the last signal was detected south of the M62 motorway near Marsden, West Yorkshire. A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport confirmed that the plane had departed from its XLR Executive Jet Centre.
Investigation and Safety Features
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has initiated an investigation into the crash. The Cirrus Aircraft models are equipped with a safety feature known as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). This system is designed to deploy a parachute in emergency situations to lower the aircraft safely to the ground. It is a standard feature on all Cirrus SR20 aircraft.
The aircraft was operated by Daedalus Aviation, a company based at Birmingham Airport that specializes in pilot training. Both men reportedly frequently flew from Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport, a former RAF training base that has become an aviation hub.
As investigations continue, GMP has stated that they are searching for a part of the parachute system containing propellant, which has not yet been located. The police noted that the complex terrain and the wide area over which it may have traveled have made the search challenging.
Authorities described the device, which measures approximately 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm long, as having a red anodised finish and weighing less than 2 kg. It may also have a silver metal collar attached at one end. Residents who encounter the device are urged not to handle it and to contact the police immediately via 101 or through their Live Chat service, quoting log 1056 of February 3, 2026.
This tragic incident highlights the risks associated with aviation, even in light aircraft, and the profound impact such losses have on families and communities.
