Tributes Paid to Pilot Arian Abbasi Killed in Rochdale Light Aircraft Crash
Tributes have been paid to a pilot who tragically lost his life in a light aircraft crash earlier this week near Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Arian Abbasi, aged 36, was one of two men onboard the aircraft when it crashed into farmland on Tuesday, with both pronounced dead at the scene.
A Devoted Family Man with a Passion for Flying
On Friday, the family of Mr Abbasi, from Harrow, London, described him as "a deeply loving father and a devoted husband". In a heartfelt tribute, they stated: "He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support." The family emphasised that flying was his passion, calling it "a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination." Mr Abbasi was due to begin his career as a commercial airline pilot on February 23, marking a significant milestone in his aviation journey.
Details of the Crash and Ongoing Investigation
The aircraft, identified as a Cirrus SR20 fitted with a parachute system designed for emergencies, had taken off from Birmingham earlier that morning. Following the crash, photos shared on social media appeared to show a yellow parachute partly wrapped around the base of an electricity pylon. Police are continuing to comb through the area to locate the parachute's propellant, a device crucial for its deployment, which remains missing.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson explained: "The nature of the terrain, and the wide area over which it may have travelled, has made finding the device very difficult." The device measures approximately 10cm in diameter and 30cm long, with a red anodised finish, weighs less than 2kg, and may have a silver metal collar attached at one end.
Public Appeal for Information
Officers have urged the public to contact police immediately if they find the device, via 101 or at the police website, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26, and advised not to handle it. The search efforts highlight the challenges posed by the rural landscape as authorities work to piece together the circumstances of this tragic incident.
