Pictured: Pilot, 54, who was killed in crash while flying his light plane powered by a VW engine 

A pilot who was killed in a crash while flying his light plane, powered by a converted VW camper engine, has been pictured.

Stuart Penfold, who friends described as always ‘licking the lid of life’, had been flying the ‘simple and mechanical’ Luton Minor aircraft, which he had rebuilt, before it came down just before lunchtime on Sunday 3 February.

Last year the 54-year-old posted a picture on Facebook of an overturned plane, with the comment ‘just a standard landing’.

On Sunday Mr Penfold had been flying the aircraft around half a mile away from the small picturesque village of Belchamp Walter in Essex.

Stuart Penfold (pictured above) was described by family and friends as a ‘passionate light aircraft flyer’ 

Mr Penfold had previously posted a picture on Facebook of a plane he had landed

Mr Penfold had previously posted a picture on Facebook of a plane he had landed

Locals reported seeing a small microlight-type aircraft crash, although the rural location of the incident meant there were few witnesses to the moment it came out of the sky.

Emergency service crews, including dozens of police officers and fire crews, were scrambled to the scene, including an air ambulance. But sadly there was nothing that could be done to the save Mr Penfold, a plane enthusiast from Halstead, Essex.

His friend Steve Slater said he had helped Mr Penfold purchase the plane and that it was ‘almost rebuilt’.

Eight fire engines were dispatched to the scene as well as an air ambulance and several paramedics on Sunday afternoon 

Eight fire engines were dispatched to the scene as well as an air ambulance and several paramedics on Sunday afternoon 

The crash near the Belchamp Walter Village Hall, off North Road, which was cordoned off by police on Sunday

The crash near the Belchamp Walter Village Hall, off North Road, which was cordoned off by police on Sunday

‘He bought it after it had suffered an accident previously.

‘He practically rebuilt the entire fuselage. Like a Luton Minor I had, it had a converted VW Campervan engine. It was very simple and mechanical.’

According to Mr Slater, 50, Luton Minors have been built over the years with only about 20 currently in service.

‘Owners of these types of planes are a close group who all know each other and there is a very strong and close group of people who fly them in Essex and Suffolk.

‘This is very, very sad to hear,’ added Mr Slater, who is the chief executive of the light aircraft association.

Emergency services (pictured above) were called to the scene on Sunday following the crash 

Emergency services (pictured above) were called to the scene on Sunday following the crash 

Essex Police is assisting the Air Accidents Investigation Branch

Essex Police is assisting the Air Accidents Investigation Branch

In a short statement given to police Mr Penfold’s family said: ‘In loving memory of a devoted, reliable and wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

‘A passionate light aircraft flyer and a keen member of Braintree Motorcycle Club, on a journey to his next destination’.

Friends also paid heartfelt tributes to Mr Penfold on the club’s social media site.

Graham Davies said: ‘I heard the news of a light aircraft crashing this morning.

‘This is very close to where I live and my first thought was I hope it wasn’t Stuart.

‘I am heartbroken to hear that it was.

‘I spent a year or so on the committee of the Braintree club and got to know Stuart quite well.

The incident happened shortly before 12pm on Sunday and eight fire engines were called to the site as well as several police officers

The incident happened shortly before 12pm on Sunday and eight fire engines were called to the site as well as several police officers

‘He was kind, warm and had a wealth of great stories. He certainly licked the lid of life.

‘My thoughts are with his family and the many people who knew him, and whose lives he enriched.’

Andrew John Prill said: ‘Such a tragic loss especially to anyone who had the privilege to know him or count him as a friend. Sincere condolences to the family.’

David Eggleton said: ‘He was enthusiastic about aeroplanes, motorcycles and old cars. But mainly I shall remember him for always having that infectious smile.’ 

An Essex Police spokesman confirmed they are assisting the investigation.

‘We are assisting the Air Accidents Investigation Branch with their enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

‘Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the aircraft shortly before is asked to contact Braintree Police Station on 101 quoting incident 503 of February 3.’

Pictured: Police at the scene on Sunday following the crash in the small village 

Pictured: Police at the scene on Sunday following the crash in the small village 

Essex Police cordoned off the area and had described the accident as a 'serious incident'  

Essex Police cordoned off the area and had described the accident as a ‘serious incident’  

One woman, whose house backs onto the field where the plane came down, said: ‘We often stand here and watch the planes doing loop the loops, it’s quite exciting.

‘We get a lot more of them in the summer time though.’

She added that she didn’t see or hear anything of the crash until she saw flashing lights and engines ‘whizzing down the lanes’. 

Emergency services were called shortly before 12pm on Sunday to ‘reports of a light aircraft in distress’ at Belchamp Walter, on the Suffolk border.

Eight fire engines were dispatched to the scene as well as an air ambulance and several paramedics.

On Sunday a witness told EssexLive that he saw an aircraft ‘crash into the field’.

‘I saw an aircraft of some sort crash into the field. I’m not sure if it was a micro blade or a light aircraft,’ he explained.

Another witness added: ‘We were driving back from Sudbury and saw fumes and smoke.’

A dog walker added: ‘We were driving back from Sudbury and saw fumes and smoke. We thought that’s a big bonfire. Then we heard about the crash.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk