Two people killed when their plane crashed into a Chigwell field were both “highly experienced professional pilots”, the aircraft operator has said.

The eight-seater Beechcraft King Air 200 went to ground in a field off Gravel Lane at about 10.20am on Saturday (October 3), shortly after taking off from nearby Stapleford Airfield.

The ‘turboprop’ plane, which was flying to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, was built in 1981 and had its most recent scheduled maintenance on June 12 this year.

Owner and operator of the plane, London Executive Aviation (LEA), said the pilot had extensive experience flying King Air aircraft and was a flying examiner.

LEA managing director George Galanopoulos said: “Everybody at London Executive Aviation is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic accident.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends of our colleagues who lost their lives.

“We will do everything possible to support them at this difficult time.

“We will also co-operate fully with the authorities charged with investigating the causes of the accident.”

No-one on the ground was injured.

The plane was described 100 per cent alight by Essex Fire and Rescue Service shortly after the crash.

Essex Police and air accident investigators are still working at the crash site, and a police cordon is expected to remain in place until at least 3.30pm today.

DCI Stephen Jennings of Essex Police said: “We are working together with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the Essex Coroner’s Office.

“The recovery and forensic investigations will take some time and we appreciate the patience of the local land owners and residents whilst this work continues.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those who died and we offer our deepest sympathies to them.”

Yesterday, it emerged that the chairmen of West Ham United could have been potential passengers on the plane.

David Sullivan and David Gold were due to fly from Stapleford Airfield to their team’s Premier League match with Sunderland on Saturday, and were planning on using one off two light aircraft available – including the King Air 200.

The two men had to make alternative arrangements when they arrived at the airfield to find it already closed after the crash.