ACCIDENT investigators have started looking into the cause of a light aircraft crash in Suffolk.

Mark Lord

ACCIDENT investigators have started looking into the cause of a light aircraft crash in Suffolk.

The Polish-made PZL-104 Wilga 80 crashed into farmland at Burgate, near Diss, on Saturday afternoon.

The three occupants of the four-seater plane had a lucky escape in the crash, at about 4.10pm on Brook Farm. The aircraft plunged in to the field, ending up on its roof.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said yesterday that the investigation process was under way.

A spokesman for the AAIB said: “From what I can tell the occupants were pretty much able to walk away from the crash, however, we have sent the pilot a report form to return with the details of the accident and then we shall see what further action, if any, needs to be taken.”

Ambulance, police and fire crews attended the scene. One man was freed from the wreckage by emergency crews. He was taken by air ambulance to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with chest and shoulder injuries.

Two other people on board had already managed to get free and were taken to hospital as a precaution.

No further details have been released about those on the plane or where they were travelling to or the aircraft's destination.

The AAIB spokesman added: “At the moment we have no further information about where the aircraft was from or its destination, we will know more once the pilot returns the report.”

The owners of the farm declined to comment, except to say they were relieved the accident had not been more serious.

Anyone with any information about the circumstances of the crash should contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500.

The Wilga 80 was first produced in 1979 for the US market and was design mainly for use in sports aviation, especially for glider -towing and parachute training.