THE plane that crashed at Blackbushe Airport was carrying members of the Osama Bin Laden family, it has emerged overnight.
Three passengers and the pilot died on Friday, July 31, when the plane crashed into the British Car Auctions site next to the airport nearly Yateley. The cause of the disaster is not yet known, and police have appealed to the public for their photos and video to help piece together the plane’s final moments.
It has been confirmed that the plane was an Embraer Phenom 300, and arrived from Milan in Italy.
Because the plane was registered in Saudi Arabia, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority has assigned a representative to assist the UK investigation.
The Saudi ambassador to the UK, Prince Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud, offered condolences to the Bin Laden family.
The statement, released on Twitter, said: “His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud… has paid his condolences to the family and relatives of Mohammed bin Laden at Blackbushe airport in Britain for the great loss they have suffered as a result of the crash of the plane that was carrying the family.”
The police investigation is continuing and the airport remains closed.
British Car Auctions is planning to reopen on Monday for a sale. It has more than 900 cars listed for this auction, which is due to start at 10am.
In a statement on its website, BCA said: “BCA Blackbushe plans to be open for business as usual on Monday 3rd August following the incident this afternoon where a plane missed the runway at Blackbushe Airport after attempting to land. We will update our customers should this change, but please keep checking the BCA website.”
Hampshire Police would like to hear from anyone who has photos or video of the crash to contact them. This will help them piece together what happened there on Friday at around 3pm.
People can call the 101 service and ask to speak to Hampshire Police.