AIR accident investigators have started their probe into the crash that killed a pilot when a light plane crashed into moorland near Colne last month.

The single-engine Cessna 310 crashed in a field off Lancashire Moor Road near Laneshawbridge, minutes after the pilot announced he was turning back to Leeds Bradford airport because of problems.

The pilot, Frank Lennon, from Leeds, was thrown from the plane as it crashed down in the field, leaving skid marks over about 450 feet of moorland.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport, which oversees the Air Accident Investigation Board, yesterday said the investigating team was starting to piece together the events surrounding the crash on the morning of March 30.

She explained: "I can confirm an investigation has been launched, although the report will not be published for several months.

"It will try to determine the cause of the accident and to produce reports and make future safety recommendations if necessary. It will not apportion blame in any way."

Any investigation will look at whether the accident occurred due to a mechanical fault or pilot error.

Following the crash two air accident investigators travelled from West Drayton for a preliminary examination of the scene and stayed there overnight to keep everything secure.

The RAF arrived the following day to remove the wreckage from the field which was to be taken away for further examination.

The aircraft, which police believed was heading for Ireland, took off from Leeds-Bradford Airport with just the pilot on board. Just five minutes into the flight the pilot radioed the airport to say he was returning. Minutes later staff lost contact with the aircraft.