Three Britons and a South African die as small plane crashes in Dubai

Three Britons and a South African die as a small UK registered plane crashes near Dubai airport

  • The Diamond Aircraft DA62 crashed three miles south of Dubai’s airport 
  • The aircraft was calibrating navigation equipment at the busy hub airport 
  • Three Britons and a South African died after the aircraft crashed earlier today
  • The aircraft was owned by Flight Calibration Services Limited in Chessington 

Three Britons and a South African have died after the small plane they were flying crashed near Dubai airport. 

The Diamond Aircraft DA62 aircraft crashed three miles south of the international airport according to the Dubai media office. 

The UK-registered aircraft is owned by Flight Calibration Services Ltd based in Chessington, Kent. 

The crashed aircraft, a Diamond DA62, pictured, was owned by Flight Calibration Services. The company won a competition to calibrate the navigation aids at Dubai Aiport in November

Initial indications suggest the crash was the result of a technical malfunction.

The two-year-old aircraft had been operating out of the Middle East since October.  

The DA42 has twin diesel-powered engines. 

A spokesman said: ‘All operations at the Dubai airport are running smoothly after a slight delay and diversion of some flights as a precautionary measure to ensure security,’ it added.

Dubai’s international airport is one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.

The aircraft was on a mission to calibrate terrestrial navigation systems at the airport, the statement said.

An investigation is underway. 

Air traffic at the airport has since returned to normal, it said. 

The company told MailOnline: ‘We have no comment to make at this time.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk