Pilot in miracle escape after crashing a replica German World War One biplane upside down in a field

A LUCKY pilot managed to escape without injury after crash landing a World War One plane upside down.

The German Fokker Albatross developed engine trouble as it came in to land at Headcorn Aerodrome from France.

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It ended up crashing in a field about four miles away between the villages of Pluckley and Bethersden, near Ashford, Kent, on Thursday afternoon.

The plane ended up upside down and sustained heavy damage.

Emergency services were scrambled to the scene but the pilot miraculously managed to walk away unscathed.

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The pilot had taken part in a commemoration service earlier in the day to remember the New Zealand Forces’ contribution to the Battle of the Somme.

David Kember, Headcorn Aerodrome's duty controller, said the Air Accident Investigation Board has been informed.

But he said he had shaken hands with the pilot who is "safe and well."

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Mr Kember added: "It is a replica First World War aircraft which was coming in to Headcorn, but landed about four miles away after engine failure.

"The plane was damaged, but it can be rebuilt and repaired, but that's what can happen when you're operating a vintage aircraft, there is a slight risk.

"The pilot was able to land it safely, and that's the main thing."

Dick Forsythe, Chief Trustee of the World War One Aviation Heritage Trust (WAHT), who operated the plane, said: “The Albatross has been damaged but can be repaired and happily the pilot was unharmed and did not require medical treatment. Both will be back in the air at the first opportunity.”

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Last month, three people ended up in hospital when their fixed-wing plane crashed into a field in Weymouth.

The plane was pictured on its roof after smashing into grassland on a private farm but the three people on board were not thought to be badly injured.

And at the Kent Airshow last month, a plane landed in the sea after the pilot lost control in mid air.

The nose of the plane hit the surface of the sea and the plane flipped over leaving the pilot upside down.

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