The reason behind a private plane crash which left two friends stuck in a tree for more than four hours has been revealed.

Ruth Samson and pilot Timothy Nathan, who was 65 at the time, took off in a light aircraft from Rochester airport with the intention of going to Goodwood on October 31, 2022.

It left at around 11am but crashed shortly after takeoff.

It became stuck in a tree near the 700-year-old Robin Hood pub in Blue Bell Hill.

At least 20 emergency service vehicles were called to the scene, including seven fire engines with specialist equipment.

HM Coastguard was also called in from Lydd.

Robin Hood landlord Andy Selby told KentOnline how he was in the shower when the plane crashed.

He said at the time: "I heard all the commotion; there was a plane and then there was a helicopter which came over.”

The pair were stranded in the cockpit until 3.30pm when they were finally rescued and checked by medics in the pub. There were no injuries reported.

It has now been revealed in an official crash report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which investigates civil aircraft accidents, that the aircraft’s weight “probably exceeded the maximum permitted for takeoff”.

The private plane, a Scintex CP301-C1, G-CKCF, was estimated to have been around 20kg too heavy as both fuel tanks were full before the flight.

The maximum takeoff weight for the aircraft was 650kg.

But after taking into account the weight of the plane, fuel, passengers and additional load such as headsets and a bag, it is estimated to have weighed around 671kg.

The report states: “Another pilot reported that he would not fly the aircraft from Rochester with full fuel and a passenger.”

The pilot, Mr Nathan, stated that the surface was dry during the takeoff, however other reports indicated that it was wet or very wet, with soft ground in places.

He said that takeoff and initial climb were “normal” but noticed the aircraft was lower than usual as they were approaching a wooded ridge.

At this point Ms Samson, also a pilot, noticed that engine speed had reduced.

Mr Nathan said the aircraft then encountered turbulence which resulted in an incipient spin and led to a loss of control, which is when the aircraft landed in the trees.

The pilot reported having resisted the temptation to raise the nose, maintaining a speed of approximately 50 knots until impact.

The report states it impacted “with sufficient force for both occupants’ headphones and glasses to come off, but not to cause injury.”

The investigation also found the performance of the aircraft may have been diminished by a reduction in power due to carburettor icing, which happens when moisture in the air freezes within the carburetor.

It concluded: “The aircraft had insufficient performance to clear obstacles in the takeoff path.

“Its weight probably exceeded the maximum permitted for takeoff, and its performance may have been diminished by a reduction in power due to carburettor icing.”

Rescue from the tree canopy was complex and took several hours, involving machinery for working at height.

At the time of the incident, Mr Nathan told KentOnline: "We’re fine now, just very very thankful for all the emergency services.”