TRIBUTES have been paid to two men killed when a light aircraft crashed into a field on Saturday morning.

The men, both of whom were in their 60s, were aboard a Tiger Moth biplane which came down on private land east of the Compton Abbas Airfield near Shaftesbury shortly before 9.30am.

Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to the site after witnesses spotted the plane crash landing before smoke was seen billowing from a crop field. Despite the efforts of the emergency services, both of the men died at the scene.

It is thought the pilot was a member of the airfield and the passenger was on the flight as a birthday present.

Members of the passenger's family are believed to have been watching from the ground.

Witnesses heard the engine cut out moments after take-off. It crash-landed on farming land and burst into flame.

Farm workers and members of the public rushed to help, but were unable to put out the blaze.

One witness, who didn't want to be named, said: "I believe a driver who was on the road and saw it go down was the first on the scene and then two men from the farm.

"They had a fire extinguisher but they couldn't put it out. It was completely ablaze.

"The plane didn't seem to be right when it took off and the engine just stopped, it sounded like it cut out.”

Another witness said: "We were there at the time.

“The sadness and shock felt by the airfield, fire crew and cafe staff was heart-breaking, as was the shock and tragedy to the family there. Someone's granddad, a birthday present.

"We cannot account for how this happened to an experienced pilot but it's a very rare event and checks and regulations on both flyers and planes are very rigorous. A very sad day."

The wreckage of the plane was taken from the scene by two lorries on Sunday afternoon.

A bouquet with a signed card was left by a farm gate.

“This is such a tragic disaster – two healthy, bright men taken too soon.

“All of my love and thoughts are with you and the ones you leave behind.

“I am so completely sorry.”

Chief Inspector Richard Bell, of Dorset Police, said: “Sadly, two men have died in the crash – the passenger, 67 years old and from Shaftesbury, and the pilot, 64 years old and from Blandford."

“Our thoughts are very much with their families at this very difficult time.”

“For a brief period due to the smoke we had to put road closures in place and would like to thank any affected motorists for their patience.”

The air ambulance was sent along with a land ambulance, which was stood down.

A spokesperson for the airfield declined to comment.

However, a sign written in chalk on an a board outside the airfield’s restaurant read: “Unfortunately, there has been a serious incident here today.

“We respectfully ask that you do not ask our staff for any information.”

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been informed.

A statement released via the organisation’s Twitter account reads: “The AAIB has sent a team to investigate.”

Although Tiger Moths were retired in 1959, they remain in use in some military and civil applications.

Flying experiences aboard a 1935 Tiger Moth are available at the airfield.