Dubai crash: Three Britons among four dead as UK-registered plane crashes near airport

Three Britons and a South African have been killed after a UK-registered plane crashed near Dubai International Airport.

The four-seat light aircraft crashed three miles south of the airport, killing all four people on board.

The aircraft is registered to Shoreham Airport, West Sussex.

Authorities have not yet said what they believe caused the Diamond DA62 aircraft to crash.

Images showed the crash site in Dubai
AP

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said an investigation is under way.

The crash happened as the aircraft was "on a mission to calibrate terrestrial navigation systems at the airport", said the GCAA.

Screengrab of a tweet posted by Dubai Media Office of the air crash in Dubai
PA

The Foreign Office said in a statement: "We are working closely with the Emirati authorities following reports of a small aircraft crash in Dubai."

The plane belonged to the British firm Flight Calibrations Service Ltd., which flies staff around the world to inspect and calibrate navigation aids, including radars and landing systems for airports.

The company announced in November it had signed a contract to work on the airport's "navaids" – the beacons around an airport that show pilots where runways are and how to land on them.

It declined to comment on the crash on Thursday night.

The airport halted flights and traffic for nearly an hour following the crash
AP

US engineering and aerospace company Honeywell said it had hired Flight Calibration Services and the DA42 plane for work in Dubai.

It added: "The plane was not owned or operated by Honeywell but by a third party engaged by Honeywell. We are waiting for more details."

Police, paramedics and flight investigators worked at the crash site early on Friday morning.

The airport, home to long-haul carrier Emirates, is the world's busiest for international travel. It halted traffic outside for nearly an hour following the incident, and grounded flights from 7:36 p.m. until 8:22 p.m.

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