Flying Instructor and Student Killed in Light Aircraft Crash Near Loch Lomond
An 80-year-old instructor and his 16-year-old student died when their Piper Tomahawk aircraft crashed in a field north of Drymen, Scotland.
An 80-year-old flying instructor, identified as Ian Haggis, affectionately known as ‘the Flying Haggis’, and his 16-year-old student were killed when their light aircraft crashed near Loch Lomond on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred in a field north of Drymen in Stirlingshire.
The two-seater Piper Tomahawk, registration GLFSU, had taken off from Cumbernauld Airport and flown a route over the Trossachs before a previous stop at Glasgow Airport, according to flight tracking data. The plane later embarked on its final flight towards the Loch Lomond and Drymen area.
Police Scotland confirmed that emergency services attended the scene and pronounced the 16-year-old male youth and the 80-year-old man dead. Their next of kin have been informed. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been notified and has begun an investigation into the crash.
Temporary airspace restrictions have been put in place over the Drymen area to allow the AAIB to conduct its investigation, with drones prohibited. Police Scotland has cordoned off the crash site, located in rugged terrain three miles north of Drymen, and a tarpaulin was placed over the aircraft's canopy.
An aviation industry insider described Haggis as a “lovely man,” “very generous, and passionate about flying, always wanting to help others learn,” calling the incident a tragedy.
Sources indicate Haggis had a long career in aviation, having previously instructed RAF Scholarship students before becoming a commercial flight instructor. His experience included roles as an air taxi pilot transporting passengers and freight, air ambulance operations, and working as a corporate pilot.
The aircraft involved, a 1981 Piper Tomahawk, is registered to Leading Edge Flight Training Ltd, which operates from Glasgow and Cumbernauld airports. The company advertises trial flying lessons on its website, offering experiences that include taking control of the aircraft under instructor supervision over scenic Scottish landscapes.
The 16-year-old student was reportedly taking the lesson during the half-term holidays. Locals in Drymen were largely unaware of the tragedy until police presence became apparent in the hills above the town.