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Archant executive dies in plane crash

Archant’s business development director Ian Davies has died in a plane crash.

Mr Davies, left, was in a two-seater light aircraft which collided with a crop-spraying tractor at Seething Airfield, in Norfolk, yesterday afternoon.

The plane burst into flames after the accident and Mr Davies was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other airplane passenger was airlifted to hospital where he remains with critical injuries while the tractor driver escaped serious injury and is recovering at home.

The 49-year-old father of two had worked for Archant for 19 years and was responsible for the development of corporate activity and mergers and acquisitions.

He was a member of the corporate executive team and was also a director of Archant Regional, Archant Life, Archant Specialist and Archant Dialogue.

Chief executive John Fry said: “Everyone at Archant is extremely saddened to hear of the tragic accident involving Ian yesterday.

“He was a keen amateur pilot with a real passion for all aspects of flying.

“His sudden death has been felt by us all. Our thoughts are with his family and in particular his wife Colette and children Francesca and Josh.

“Ian has been with the company for nearly 20 years and over that time has contributed to the development of the business into magazines, radio and digital activity.”

  • The wreckage at Seething Airfield
  • Mr Davies worked for various parts of the Archant operation and had previously held roles including business development manager, group strategist, company secretary and MD of Enterprise Radio.

    Prior to joining Archant, he worked as a journalist, radio presenter and producer and television news reader.

    He was a very experienced light aircraft display pilot and part-owned a de Havilland Chipmunk airplane which he flew out of Seething Airfield.

    Mr Davies had been consulting editor for Archant Specialist’s Pilot magazine for three years and was instrumental in the company acquiring the title eight years ago.

    He was a formation display pilot with the Red Sparrows team and a class rating instructor qualified to teach pilots to fly light aircraft.

    He had 3,000 hours as a pilot and was also a qualified helicopter pilot.

    The matter has now been passed to the Air Accident Investigation Branch by police who will carry out a full investigation into the cause.

    You can leave your memories of Ian at Lasting Tribute.

  • Photos courtesy of the Eastern Daily Press