A man’s body has been recovered from an Essex reservoir after a small private plane crashed into the water over the weekend.
Officers were called to Hanningfield Reservoir near Billericay on Sunday to reports of a plane crash.
The investigation has not identified any suspicious circumstances and a file is being prepared for the coroner, the force said.
Chief Superintendent Waheed Khan said: “We believe this is the body of the sole occupant of the aircraft and our search activity has therefore concluded. As a result of further investigative work, we will be preparing a file for the coroner.”
Data on tracking website Flightradar24 shows a Beagle B121 Pup aircraft did not land at its intended destination and its journey instead ended near the middle of the reservoir at 2.03pm on Sunday.
The three-seater aircraft lost around 1,800 feet (548 metres) of altitude in seconds and the final tracking signal was received at 2.55pm, the flight tracker said.
The private aircraft, manufactured in 1970 and registered as flight G-AZDG, started travelling at North Weald Airfield at 11.54am and was heading to London Southend Airport.
Its total flight time was 1 hour and 23 minutes, data suggests.
Officers are investigating the scene at Hanningfield Reservoir
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Aviation Content Specialist at Flightradar24 Daniel Gustafsson said its route shows the aircraft was flying “under visual flight rules” and “manoeuvring above and close to the reservoir.”
The incident has not impacted upon the supply of water to customers, Essex and Suffolk Water said.
A spokesman for Essex and Suffolk Water added: “Essex and Suffolk water teams are managing the reservoir carefully to ensure that water quality and ecology are protected.”
Police sources told The Sun a suspected suicide note was found by officers at the pilot’s home.
Hanningfield Reservoir in Essex, where a small aircraft entered the water
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Chief Superintendent Khan said: “I would firstly like to recognise that someone has lost their life in tragic circumstances. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this incident.
“Work to formally identify this man will be undertaken sensitively with HM Coroner, and it is not right that we officially confirm his identity until this procedure is followed.
“My officers, the AAIB and divers supporting from the Metropolitan Police Service continued to search the reservoir following activity late into Monday evening (December 29).
“Our inquiries identified the specific area we believe the aircraft entered the water, and using sonar equipment under the water the teams methodically scanned the reservoir floor.
Officers remain in attendance at the Essex beauty spot
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“This has resulted in the discovery of debris and, crucially, a body. We believe this is the body of the sole occupant of the aircraft and our search activity has therefore concluded.
“As a result of further investigative work, we will be preparing a file for the coroner.
“Responsibility for the reservoir and any required further recovery work will pass back to the owners of the site.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry this search out. This was highly-detailed work being carried out by specialists from across multiple agencies.”
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.