British Royal Air Force pilot dies after aircraft crash

LONDON -- A British Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot was killed after a Spitfire crashed near an RAF base in Lincolnshire, an RAF spokesperson said on Saturday.

"It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today," said the spokesperson.

Earlier, a Lincolnshire police spokesperson said a "single occupant aircraft" is believed to have crashed and nobody else is thought to have been involved.

British media reported that the plane went down shortly before 1220 GMT and the crashed Spitfire was taking part in a Battle of Britain memorial event.

RAF Coningsby is home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a collection of wartime fighter and bomber aircraft that take part in air shows and memorial displays.