Tributes paid to 'legend' flying instructor killed in light aircraft crash near Drymen

Tributes have been paid to a flying instructor who died alongside a teenage boy 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 was flying the aircraft.

The entrance to a field in Drymen has been cordoned off STV News

The circumstances of the crash are being investigated by the Air Accident Investigations Branch, with temporary airspace restrictions, including drones, in place around the village.

‘A legend of aviation’

Mr Haggis was an instructor at Leading Edge Flight Training and Flying Club and a well-respected figure within the pilot community.

Tributes shared online described the 80-year-old as a “gentleman and very experienced aviator”.

Another described Mr Haggis as a “legend and hero of aviation and flight instruction”.

He added: “The Scottish aviation community will be united in grief at your passing and that of your student.”

Investigations continue

Police officers remained on the scene, near Old Drymen Road, on Saturday, with a gate leading to a hill where the crash is believed to have happened cordoned off.

Temporary airspace restrictions, including drones, have been put in place over the Drymen area following the incident and are expected to be in place for some time, Police Scotland said.

Officers have warned the public that it is a criminal offence to fly in restricted airspace.

Gavin Birch-Williams, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “We are aware of an incident involving a light aircraft that departed from Glasgow Airport.

The aircraft stopped transmitting before coming down in a field north-east of Drymen FlightRadar24

“This is a deeply tragic event, and the thoughts and heartfelt sympathies from all at Glasgow Airport are with the friends and families affected.”

It’s understood that the aircraft had earlier taken off from Cumbernauld Airport at 11.46am and travelled for 15 minutes to Glasgow Airport.

It stayed there until 1pm before doing a two-hour flight to Newport-on-Tay, turning round and heading back to Glasgow.

It remained on the ground for just over an hour before it took off again on its final flight.

In a statement, the AAIB said: “An investigation has begun into an accident involving a light aircraft which occurred on October 16, 2026.

“A team has travelled to the accident site near Drymen, north of Glasgow, to make inquiries and gather evidence as part of the process of conducting a safety investigation.”