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A HELICOPTER pilot was killed alongside a 16-year-old when his chopper smashed into a field in a horror crash.

Ian MacDonald, 66, was attempting to land his 2016 Guimbal Cabri G2 at his home on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales when the tragedy struck.

Ian MacDonald, 66, with his partner Julia Smith
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Ian MacDonald, 66, with his partner Julia SmithCredit: Social Media
The chopper came down shortly before Midday
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The chopper came down shortly before MiddayCredit: Social Media
Emergency services rushed to the scene
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Emergency services rushed to the sceneCredit: Ben Lack

He was in the chopper with German student Admarsu, 16, who also tragically died.

The youngster - whose last name has not been confirmed - was staying with a local family as part of a farming exchange programme.

They were returning to the village of Burton-in-Lonsdale, North Yorks, after a flight from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, according to flight data.

Cllr Peter Thompson, chairman of Burton in Lonsdale Parish Council, confirmed the boy's first name - saying he had been living and working as a volunteer on a local organic farm and had been close to completing his three-month exchange trip when he tragically died.

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Peter also confirmed that Ian Macdonald - a pilot who ran a local leisure flight business - was the second person who died in the crash, adding that he was "hugely experienced".

He said: "The young man was called Admarsu, we didn't know his surname. He had been here three months.

"He was on a 'WWOOF' exchange, which is the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.

"He was staying for three months with a family in the village, and he was coming to the end of the three months. He had settled in the village extremely well.

"He was very popular. He had been involved in the village Jubilee celebrations. He had taken part in quizzes and he was just a really nice lad.

He added: "The pilot was Ian Macdonald. It was his own helicopter. He was hugely experienced, and he did leisure trips for local people.

"Ian was closely involved with the management of the village shop for many years, and he was very popular."

'GREAT SADNESS'

His partner Julia Smith posted a photograph of Ian online. 

Her mum, Audrey, wrote: "With great sadness my daughter Julia's partner Ian has been killed in a helicopter accident on Monday June 20 - love from all of us xx."

The chopper came down shortly before Midday.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, firefighters, cops and paramedics, raced to the scene. 

But a police spokesman later confirmed: "Two people were sadly killed as a result of the crash. 

"Their families are being supported by specially trained officers. A full investigation is now under way."

One local told how Ian, believed to be a retired computer analyst, had recently taken in a Ukrainian family fleeing the war with Russia.

The resident, who owns a nearby farm, said: "He crashed whilst landing it. It's a manoeuvre he has done many, many times.

"He is a lovely man. He is currently housing a Ukrainian family. I don’t know what they will do now.

"I was out shearing my sheep when I heard a bang. 

"At first, I thought it was a ram butting something.

"Later I saw the air ambulance flying over and landing at his property."

Police erected a blue tent at the crash scene and a crane was brought in to move the wreckage ahead of a detailed examination.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an investigation.

The government body, which looks into civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents, said investigators would begin "making enquiries".

A spokesman said: "The AAIB has been notified of an accident in Burton in Lonsdale, North Yorkshire involving a light helicopter.

"An investigation has been launched and a team of inspectors are travelling to the accident site to begin making enquiries."

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Peter Thompson, chair of the parish council, said: "We are a rural community of about 600 people. 

"When something like this happens, it is obviously alarming. It's very sad for everyone involved."

A scorched tree is said to be where the helicopter crashed
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A scorched tree is said to be where the helicopter crashedCredit: Ben Lack
Details of the crash in Burton, North Yorkshire, are currently unknown
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Details of the crash in Burton, North Yorkshire, are currently unknownCredit: Ben Lack
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