# Flight School 'Devastated' After Fatal Loch Lomond Plane Crash Kills Two

> Leading Edge Flight Training expressed its devastation after a light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond on Friday, October 16, 2026, killed a 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-20T06:23:44.286415Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/flight-school-devastated-after-fatal-loch-lomond-plane-crash-kills-two-163ee587

A light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond on Friday, October 16, 2026, killed two people: a 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man, leading the operating flight school, Leading Edge Flight Training, to state they were “devastated” by the loss [1][2][11]. The incident has initiated an investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) into the circumstances of the crash, which occurred north-east of Drymen, Stirling [1][3][4].

This tragic event highlights the serious nature of light aircraft accidents and the work of accident investigators in understanding such incidents. The findings from this investigation may contribute to aviation safety protocols and offer clarity to those affected.

## What the Records Show

Leading Edge Flight Training, based in Renfrew, issued a public statement following the accident [2][10][11]. The flight school stated it was “devastated by this tragic accident involving one of our aircraft and two close members of our Leading Edge family” [11]. The company also extended “thoughts and deepest sympathies... to the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives” [11]. The aircraft involved, a Piper Tomahawk II, was registered to Leading Edge Flight Training [2][10]. It was reportedly purchased recently from the Liverpool Flight School in Merseyside [11]. Leading Edge Flight Training confirmed it is assisting with the investigation [11].

Emergency services responded to the crash site north-east of Drymen, Stirling, at about 4:45 PM on Friday, October 16, 2026 [1][2][8]. A 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man were pronounced dead at the scene, and their next of kin were informed [1][2][5]. STV News reported the pilot was flight instructor Ian Haggis, who was 80 years old [2][11]. The 16-year-old boy was thought to be a student on a flying lesson [11].

## The Timeline

The Piper Tomahawk II aircraft departed from Glasgow Airport at 4:17 PM on Friday [1][2]. Flight-tracking data showed the plane circled before its transponder stopped transmitting at 4:37 PM, approximately 20 minutes after takeoff [1][2][7]. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) was informed and began an investigation into the accident, which occurred on October 16, 2026 [1][3][4]. An AAIB team traveled to the crash site near Drymen to gather evidence and make inquiries [6][9].

## What Changed and for Whom

Police Scotland has put temporary airspace restrictions in place, including a ban on drones, around the Drymen area to support the ongoing investigation [1][2][5]. Police warned that flying in the restricted airspace constitutes a criminal offense [2][3]. Gavin Birch-Williams, managing director of Glasgow Airport, recognized the incident, stating, “This is a deeply tragic event, and the thoughts and heartfelt sympathies from all at Glasgow Airport are with the friends and families affected” [5][8]. The families and friends of the deceased face the loss of their loved ones. The flight school itself stated its devastation over the loss of two members of its “family” [11].

## What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the exact cause of the crash [7]. The identities of the 16-year-old boy or specific details about his relationship to the flight school, beyond being a suspected student pilot, could not be confirmed [11]. The timeline for the conclusion of the AAIB investigation or the release of a preliminary report was not available. The specific details of the flight plan or why the aircraft was circling before the crash were not available in the evidence provided [1].

## Evidence cited
1. Two people killed in light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond (theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/17/two-people-killed-light-aircraft-crash-near-loch-lomond-scotland
2. ... and 80-year-old man die in light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond. A 16-year-old boy and 80-year-old man were pronounced dead at the scene of the incident north-east of Drymen. Teen, 16, and 80-year-old man die in light aircraft crash STV News. An investigation into the crash is ongoing STV News. Holly Lennon. Oct 17th, 2026 at 10:13. Share this story. Facebook X / Twitter Copy Link. Posted in. Stirling. Last updated Oct 18th, 2026 at 10:54. A teenage boy and an 80-year-old man have died foll (stv.tv) — https://stv.tv/
3. Police Scotland warned it is is a criminal offence to fly in restricted airspace. A spokesperson for the AAIB said: "An investigation has begun into an accident involving a light aircraft which occurred on 16 October 2026. "A team 
... (dailyrecord.co.uk) — https://dailyrecord.co.uk/
4. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed an investigation was under way. In a statement, it said: “An investigation has begun into an accident involving a light aircraft which occurred on October 16 2026.
 (gbnews.com) — https://gbnews.com/
5. A 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man have been killed during a light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond, Scotland. Emergency services were called to reports of the crash north-east of Drymen, Stirling, at around 4.45pm on Friday. Police Scotland said the next of kin of a 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man, who were pronounced dead at the scene, have been informed. Officers remain at the scene near Old Drymen Road and have cordoned off a gate leading to a hill. A police van and a team of off (express.co.uk) — https://express.co.uk/
6. Tragic Light Aircraft Crash Near Loch Lomond Claims Two Lives.
 (newscord.org) — https://newscord.org/
7. A two-seat training plane went down near Loch Lomond, Scotland, on Friday afternoon, 16 October 2026. Two people died. What we know so far: - Police Scotland say a 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man were pronounced dead at the scene, north-east of Drymen, Stirlingshire. Police were called at about 4:45 pm. Their next of kin have been informed. - The BBC reports the aircraft was a Piper Tomahawk. It took off from Glasgow Airport at about 4:17 pm, and its signal was lost at about 4:37 pm near  (youtube.com) — https://youtube.com/
8. A 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man have been killed during a light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond. Emergency services were called to reports of the crash north-east of Drymen, Stirling, at around 4.45pm on Friday. Police Scotland said the next of kin of a 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man, who were pronounced dead at the scene, have been informed. Drymen light aircraft crash The aircraft appears to have crashed in a field near Drymen Credit: Craig Meighan/PA. Officers remain at the s (itv.com) — https://itv.com/
9. A 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man have been killed during a light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond. Emergency services were called to reports of the crash north-east of Drymen, Stirling, at around 4.45pm on Friday. Police Scotland said the next of kin of a 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man, who were pronounced dead at the scene, have been informed. Police officers on Old Drymen Road, near to the scene where a 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man have been killed during a light aircr (irvinetimes.com) — https://irvinetimes.com/
10. Tragic Light Aircraft Crash Near Loch Lomond Claims Two Lives.
 (drooid.social) — https://drooid.social/
11. Flight school devastated after fatal plane crash kills instructor and teenage boy (glasgowlive.co.uk) — https://glasgowlive.co.uk/
12. ... In a post on Facebook, Ian's flight school, Leading Edge Flight Training and Flying Club, said: “We are devastated by this tragic accident involving one of our aircraft and two close members of our Leading Edge family. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives." The AAIB said: “ 
... (centralfm.co.uk) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGQo6wldhImZXrQTQ3bsmdUvfbwGpxTSA4d951m3V_MjMPlmqdz7e3t1MAo0t4Kh1O2qhLb2xRRRfHpTQPkMLIZrZ0iYVkwrGLSN3gN4WtFYvxZcIQv3pBghBLLR8meFxdIGpOfHKaCZf1lMzxIoIm1f0TE0URaxSgkz2xH8UrRQbaPmAmd4_4SiI1fn-mI
13. The flying school whose aircraft was involved in Friday's fatal crash near Drymen has paid a touching tribute to the two people who died. The aircraft took off from Glasgow Airport at around 4.15pm before losing contact approximately 20 minutes later. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 4.45pm, where a 16-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man were pronounced dead. (Image: PA/Craig Meighan). Leading Edge Flight Training, the flying school whose aircraft was involved in the inciden (the-gazette.co.uk) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFdoD65sKBOMidc1aPyayYoBwxuC7AXzZj81aQNW7qmpu0GOZa8B6EBiAzAaNuTKra6Ztv05DU19QZiRWwJ58LPdYr-f-BGwnGiJpnhHk6ffqo3ClMbNl5vUA94bsmxQH4sWxJkLurqEJwfB2-S5AvwO5wXGx3IZkO6uZp72bAcXrZKnzW9ecK97QbrnFtKwQVhqC_HIQ==
14. Flight school pays tribute to instructor and teen killed in plane crash near Loch Lomond. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives." Add to preferred sources · News. Stephen Bark and Rachel Cronin Reporter. 11:45, 19 Oct 2026. Ian Haggis and the 16-year-old boy were pronounced dead at the scene. View 3 Images. Ian Haggis and the 16-year-old boy were pronounced dead at the scene (Image: Facebook/Sunday Mail). A flight school  (glasgowlive.co.uk) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGrIZRJzlURZiLNbDwYJKppcpwjPnZ8gTfJCyGpwja0pnOoh8u_NmhsfWKWwlZn2rjaXrM7pn9--6t6Ii4wz54pX3c3hJtgLUfvD_KVLJe6kn4-Oz3S1FgFaOxSg-Ypt02f0XxlD2GFuWOEPW-8JYqGAJ4zpglRUgg4O5lj-YrHDCrmVnl1Y9bpESrpOmdBVcTQpk3DOgPeVA==
15. A flight school say they are “devastated” after a flying instructor and a teenage boy were killed in a light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond. Ian Haggis, 80, was pronounced dead at the scene after the Piper Tomahawk II aircraft went down in a field north-east of Drymen around 4.45pm on Friday. A 16-year-old boy was also confirmed dead. The plane had taken off from Glasgow Airport at 4.17pm before it stopped transmitting at 4.37pm. It is not known who ... In a statement, the AAIB said: “An invest (stv.tv) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEaBKhXTtK5-cZ5H9KGPKvgRhDYc1bn0d6dcqnEmetoO-MgYDveiIPTxAXOAP9b5i1-3K7kpZPzFkNhiyTzz2u806YDAnPwU-JWA4XqNqeP0o2eLAjDbtljWJGtNWZcLM2Lzi0kgWt25_gesd1aO4Be8ribVfE8kqJLMYbLIRCfjOLT8svKHjdERqcR0Ti4vroVDbnm0p6kNOsufgpP1jH7nXstoEc_6GrFXtmG
16. Flight school pays tribute to instructor and teen student killed in plane crash near Drymen. Ian Haggis, 80, and a 16-year-old boy died after the Piper Tomahawk they were travelling in crashed near Drymen on Friday. Add to preferred sources. 0. News · Stephen Bark Reporter. 18:12, 18 Oct 2026. Ian Haggis. View 3 Images. Ian Haggis and the 16-year-old boy were pronounced dead at the scene. (Image: Facebook). Tributes have been paid to a 'legendary' flight instructor killed in a plane crash near L (dailyrecord.co.uk) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQE4y5ILpcuZ1AqCEypdUD-mfrc4ztvtfLfSs5mZ_zZ3Q1Jp04augHoqEjkqcypiWhQsb0rUvJH_pWjxbb-08bh_OYFJ6q9Rzslp9z1HUXd9lWSZy3060BOel7z0_3D90ruJ3dTQmJrf5zzbAsPWqcDJrH5AnhsqH1hypXcTJOWQYxVn_Er4WLCxpfefDMJcVU6xv_AWIxBbi5s=
17. Experienced aviator Ian Haggis, 80, and an unnamed 16-year-old boy have died following a light aircraft crash near Drymen, north of Glasgow. The Piper Tomahawk II aircraft took off from Glasgow Airport on Friday afternoon and stopped transmitting approximately 20 minutes into the flight. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, prompting tributes to Mr Haggis, who was affectionately known as 'Flying Haggis' by colleagues. The plane was registered to Leading Edge Flight Training, who c (the-independent.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQE6oM3svyHsedgE5AEZvjTL-FzBjEbXY7aHyM3j7rNa3IoSrSO_OWJThAZR3mLuRYWBJICUaIjbCBzb7iSIgq6_CsZ5I1ik0YDCA9ngaIw_wSWuuNp6mkUX8alG5nxPLCAeWi_C4Z8hl-vDOECkTYhyk9dX7of_FKUDUQrmTO7m67DogCfPL9-oIR94XFFgVKu1FEQe6NjnIEgDE_E=
18. Pensioner who died in plane crash that killed teenager near Glasgow Airport is named (the-independent.com) — https://the-independent.com/
19. ... It took off from Glasgow at 4.17pm and was heading towards the Loch Lomond and Drymen area when its transmissions stopped at 4.37pm, a few miles north-east of the village. The aircraft, which is around 45 years old, was bought from a Liverpool company in April and is understood to be registered to Leading Edge Flight Training Ltd. The firm, which operates from Glasgow and Cumbernauld airports, offers trial flying lessons, introductory flights and advanced training.  .... (mirror.co.uk) — https://mirror.co.uk/
20. Teenager and Man Die in Stirlingshire Plane Crash (joe.co.uk) — https://joe.co.uk/
21. Flight school devastated after fatal plane crash kills instructor and teenage boy (the-gazette.co.uk) — https://the-gazette.co.uk/
22. Tributes paid to 'flying legend' Ian Haggis after Drymen plane crash (centralfm.co.uk) — https://centralfm.co.uk/
23. Flight Instructor, Teenager Die in Scotland Light Aircraft Crash (sundayguardianlive.com) — https://sundayguardianlive.com/
24. Flight school 'devastated' after fatal plane crash kills instructor and teenage boy (newswav.com) — https://newswav.com/