Instructor Ian Haggis and Teenager Killed in Light Aircraft Crash Near Loch Lomond

According to a report from BBC UK, an 80-year-old man who died in a light aircraft crash is understood to be the flying instructor Ian Haggis. He and a 16-year-old boy perished when their plane came down near Loch Lomond, and the teenager's identity has not been released.

The pair departed from Glasgow Airport at 16:17 and ceased transmitting at 16:37, located a few miles northeast of the village of Drymen near Stirling. Emergency services were dispatched to the crash site around 16:45 on Friday, and both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Temporary restrictions on airspace are currently in effect over the region while the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) conducts its investigations. Old Drymen Road, near where the crash occurred, remains closed, resulting in vehicles being turned around and hillwalkers being rerouted.

Social media tributes from former students have described the flying instructor as both a "good friend" and "a gentleman and an experienced aviator."

The aircraft involved, a Piper Tomahawk II, is registered to Leading Edge Flight Training in Renfrew, as per the Civil Aviation Authority's aircraft register. A spokesperson for Leading Edge Flight Training expressed devastation regarding the accident involving one of their aircraft and two members of their "Leading Edge family," stating that the organization is assisting with the investigation and cannot provide further details while it is ongoing.

Stuart Abernethy told BBC Scotland News that he observed the final moments of the plane's flight from his driveway. He recounted hearing an aircraft engine revving before seeing a light aircraft descending in a spiral for approximately 10 seconds. Abernethy stated that he did not see the plane land nor did he hear any impact sound, only that it "vanish[ed] from sight," noting there was no smoke or impact noise. He added that the aircraft was low and not in a dive trajectory, but simply fell out of the sky in a spiral with the engine revving, followed by complete silence.

Later, Abernethy's daughter shared that learning of the crash on social media was a distressing experience.

Gavin Birch-Williams, managing director of Glasgow Airport, confirmed awareness of an incident involving a light aircraft that had left Glasgow Airport, describing it as a "deeply tragic event" and extending sympathies to those affected.

Further details indicate the plane had previously taken off from Cumbernauld Airport at 11:46, flying for 15 minutes to Glasgow Airport. It remained at the airport until about 13:00 before undertaking a two-hour flight northeast to Newport-on-Tay, subsequently turning back toward Glasgow. The aircraft was on the ground at the airport for just over an hour before commencing its final flight.