The man in his nineties who died last week in a glider crash at Charlton Kings, nr Cheltenham, was a highly experienced and ‘much loved’ pilot, it was revealed today.

“He had over 50 years’ experience in flying gliders and well over 4,000 hours, the majority of them in the glider he was flying last Wednesday,” said a spokesperson for the Cotswold Gliding Club at Aston Down, nr Stroud.

“The deceased was a much loved and respected member of the club.”

The crash happened on August 19th when the two seater ASH25 glider crashed into the playing fields at St Edwards prep school in Charlton Kings.

The elderly flier died at the scene but the other occupant of the glider escaped with minor injuries.

The club spokesperson said yesterday (Sept 1) “The other pilot thankfully only had minor injuries and has returned home from hospital.

“The accident is under investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), so there is very little that we are permitted to say until the AAIB completes its investigation and publishes its report, including who was piloting the glider at the time.

“I can however confirm that the glider was an ASH25 type made by Alexander Schleicher.”

The man who died has not yet been named. An inquest is not expected to be opened until after a post mortem has been performed late next week to establish the cause of death, said a spokesperson for the Gloucestershire Coroner today (Sept 2).