A PILOT whose plane crashed into a car could have been killed if its quick-thinking passengers hadn't pulled him from the burning cockpit, officials have said.

The pilot, who has not been named, had been flying a private Aero AT-3 light aircraft when he seemed to suffer an engine failure coming down and clipping the back of a Volvo at North Weald Airfield, on Sunday.

He was dragged from his cockpit by the car's two passengers and is now recovering in hospital with leg, head, and eye injuries, but has been described as conscious and able to speak.

Airfield squadron director Alan Crouchman said he knew the man as an experienced flyer who would often take local pleasure flights.

He said: “There was an aborted landing and it climbed out again but developed a problem and stalled. It's not like a car stalling- the wing basically stopped flying.

“It's down to the accident investigation services to find out what happened. Fortunately the pilot survived which is great news. He'll be able to report what happened.”

A volunteer fire crew which were at the airfield to provide cover to a drag race event rushed to the scene immediately and emergency services arrived within minutes to put out the fire which had engulfed the two vehicles.

The driver and passenger of the Volvo were not injured while the pilot was conveyed to Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow.

Mr Crouchman said: “It's very fortunate that the people in the car were very quick to take him from the cockpit. They've probably saved his life. We were also fortunate to have the voluntary team there on the airfield- they responded very quickly. All said and done it could have been much worse.”

The Air Accident Investigation Branch of the Civil Aviation Authority will carry out an investigation into the cause of the incident at the airfield, which is owned by Epping Forest District Council.

Council deputy leader Chris Whitbread said: "I would like to wish the pilot well. I would also like to thank the council staff, the volunteers of North Weald Fire and Rescue Services and the regular emergency services.

“Most of all, I would like to congratulate the two occupants of the car involved who acted with great presence of mind and courage in dramatic circumstances."