Tributes pour in for British pilots killed when their aircraft crashed over English Channel

Tributes have poured in for two British pilots who were killed when their plane crashed over the English Channel at the weekend.   

Father-of-one Lee Rogers and his ‘closest friend’ Brian Statham were flying from Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon, to Le Tourquet in France on Saturday morning when their plane lost contact at around 09.02am.

The pair are believed to have encountered freak weather conditions over the channel but search and rescue teams have yet to find significant clues or wreckage. 

An investigation is currently being carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). 

In a touching tribute, Lee’s family described him as a ‘loving husband’ and ‘devoted family man’.

They said they had ‘no choice’ but to assume he had died after the search was called off on Sunday night. 

Meanwhile Brian’s family pleaded for beach goers in northern France to look out for any debris or personal effects that might ‘give them closure’.

The doomed flight had been part of a trip planned by the South Warwickshire Flying School, which included several other aircraft.  

Lee’s family said: ‘Despite intensive British and French search and rescue operations, the search was called off in the evening of Sunday (April 3). 

‘Therefore, we have no choice but to assume Lee has passed on.

‘Anybody who knew Lee will testify to a larger-than-life character who lived life to the full, a man with a big heart and limitless generosity. 

‘A skilled and enthusiastic pilot, a lover of all manner of fast and loud machines, which also included a newfound love of yachting.

‘He will leave behind a large wake and will be missed greatly – not only by his family but his legion of friends and colleagues.’ 

They said Lee would always be a ‘legendary figure in the IT world and the Warwickshire community,’ most of which will have a ‘humorous tale or two to recount regarding him.’

They added: ‘Not only a successful entrepreneur, known for his principled and uncompromising code of ethics, Lee was also a kind-hearted supporter of various charities… 

‘But first and foremost, Lee was a family man. Sarah has been married to Lee for eight years and they had been happy for many years before. 

Brian’s family pleaded for beach goers in northern France to look out for any debris that might ‘give them closure’. (Pictured: Brian Statham)

‘Not just a great marriage but great partners who shared genuine adventures. 

‘Ellie, Lee’s daughter, and the apple of his eye was his greatest joy. Lee had a daily tale to tell of his little girl, another larger-than-life character who reflects her parents in all the best ways.

‘It’s not fair that Ellie should be parted with her father so young, or that Sarah should be robbed of her husband way before his time or that Lee’s parents and sister lose a son and brother. Life isn’t fair, but few leave a legacy like Lee, even if they had a hundred lifetimes.’  

The Flying School had publicised Saturday’s trip to France as a ‘Club Fly-Out to Le Touquet’. 

British Coastguard originally launched an operation supported by French aircraft and boats including the Abeille-Languedoc (Languedoc Bee) tug, which was chartered by the French Navy.

Flight records show the Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II – which was built in 1976 – had left Wellesbourne at 7.56am on Saturday and went off radar over the Channel at 09.02am.   

Meanwhile Brian’s family said: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Brian and his co-pilot Lee Rogers never made it to Le Touquet.

The Piper PA-28 was in a group of aircraft which was heading to the northern France resort of Le Touquet on Saturday morning (file image, Piper PA-28)

‘As competent pilots, with over 20 years of flying experience combined, it was horrific news to hear that their plane (a Piper PA-28R reg G-EGVA ) was reported missing over the English Channel at around midday on Saturday (April 2).

‘The French and English coastguard searched for more than two days for any sign of wreckage, bodies or clues to help and figure out what happened to the two pilots that have left behind friends, families and co-workers.

‘At this point, the families would like to thank the French and English coastguards for their time, hard work and dedication out at sea working tirelessly to try and find any evidence, wreckage or clues as to what may have happened. 

‘On Thursday, April 7, Brian’s flight bag from the plane was found and handed in kindly by a tourist on the beach at Le Touquet. This has been vital evidence to help us understand what happened on their last flight.

‘We are deeply thankful for this kind and helpful act. We, the families of the missing pilots would now like to ask for help. 

‘If you live on the northern coast of France or the southern coast of England and like to spend time at the beach, or near the English Channel please be vigilant for any form of aircraft debris, clothes and personal items.

‘If you see anything, please pick it up and hand it into the local authorities. In both pictures, Brian is wearing some of the clothes he had on his final flight. 

‘Your help in this, could provide comfort and closure for the families and allow us to start the grieving process. 

‘As of this week, our loved ones are missing and we are unable to even consider a funeral.’  

The Piper plane has been in production since 1960 and various models have been involved in a number of high-profile accidents in that time.

In August 1972, Prince William of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin, was killed along with his co-pilot in a Piper Cherokee Arrow after  crashing on take-off from Halfpenny Green, near Wolverhampton, during an air race.