THE families of two devoted fathers have paid tribute to them after they were named as the men who were killed in a light aircraft crash in Chigwell.

First Officer Francis Simmonds and Captain Robert Bull both died at the scene on Saturday (October 3) when their plane crashed into a field, shortly after 10.30am.

Both men have been described as loving fathers who both worked hard to become pilots.

Mr Simmonds’ was 46 and married with a seven-year-old son.

His wife Laura, whom he lived with in Luton said: "Becoming a pilot was Francis’ boyhood dream and he loved every day of his job.

“His death leaves a gaping hole in our hearts and lives.

Captain Bull, 40, who lived in Hornchurch, was a very happy, fun-loving man who was a devoted father to his daughter, his family said.

In a statement they said: "He always put a smile on everyone’s face and enjoyed sharing a good joke.

“Rob would always go out of his way to help people and nothing was too much trouble for him. He had been a pilot since 2003 and it was what he had always wanted to do.

“As an experienced pilot he worked hard to constantly improve his skills and had recently been awarded a captaincy.

“He was the glue that held everyone together and his family and friends are devastated by our loss. He will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.”

Essex Police is continuing to assist investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Board with their enquiries.

The plane, an eight-seater Beechcraft King Air 200 went to ground shortly after taking off from nearby Stapleford Airfield.

The ‘turboprop’ plane, which was flying to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, was built in 1981 and had its most recent scheduled maintenance on June 12 this year.

An investigation into the crash continues.