Four dead as pilot crashes in thick fog

Four people have died after a light plan travelling from West Sussex, England struck an electricity pylon and crashed in thick fog while landing at Trier-Fohren airfield in western Germany, police said.

It is believed that the plane was carrying two pilots and two passengers from Germany.

Believed to be a Cessna Citation, the plane came down early on Sunday near its destination near the border with Luxembourg.

A spokesman from the airfield said the impact set the plane on fire, with 50 firefighters involved in extinguishing the blaze.

Allegedly, part of the plane's wing was stuck in an electricity pylon to the north-east of the runway, which is primarily used for private and military fights.

A source at the airfield said visibility was at little as 100 metres and planes landing are usually advised not to attempt to land in visibility below 1,800 metres.

Emergency services were called after witnesses saw it crash next to large rubbish tip site at a place called Rivenich.

Reports said the plane was on fire when firefighters reached the scene.

The plane had an American registration.