TWO men have been killed after a plane that took off from North Weald airfield crashed in to a lake.

The plane took off with two others from North Weald airfield early on Thursday, April 28, and crashed in to Ulting Lake in Langford, near Maldon, at around 1.00pm.

The plane was lifted from the water during the evening with the bodies of the pilot and passenger still in it.

The plane, a Yak 52 aerobics trainer, was reportedly flying in formation with the two planes it took off with when it clipped a tree and crashed.

The two other planes returned safely to North Weald airfield.

Derek Macnab, acting chief executive of Epping Forest District Council, said it appeared the plane had not been based in North Weald.

"Nevertheless, the crew will be well known to many people at North Weald," he said.

"I would like to express my deepest sympathies to everyone involved in what looks to be a terrible tragedy."