KENT Police have still not named the pilot of a light aircraft who was killed when it plunged into a field in thick fog.

The plane came down off Maidstone Road, Horsmonden, near Paddock Wood, at about 10.45am on Tuesday.

Michael Ravell, from nearby Mill Lane, has described how he had listened as the plane approached from the east with its engine revving, before hearing a thud, rather than an explosion.

Alan Jenkinson, of Maidstone Road, Horsmonden, who was walking his dogs nearby at the time of the crash, said: “The fog was really thick. There was only about 10 yards’ visibility.”

Firecrews from Kent and East Sussex were called to the scene along with police and Kent Ambulance Service personnel. It took more than five hours to remove the body from the wreckage.

Kent Police say that although they were not naming the victim at this stage he was in his 50s and a UK resident.

Weald Police area commander Supt Peter West, said: “We are not in a position to confirm the identity of the victim but we believe the aircraft was returning from Belgium and heading for Shoreham in Sussex. There was thick fog when the plane came down.”

The Piper Cherokee appeared to have crashed head on into the ground, with the engine folded up and the fuselage sticking up in the air. Only one person was aboard and no-one on the ground was injured.

The aircraft wreckage was later removed by officers from the Department of Transport Air Accident Investigation Branch who are investigating the cause of the crash.