THE pilot of a bi-plane that crashed into the Coveta Fumà area of El Campello (Alicante) yesterday was found dead by coastguard rescuers.   

They believe that the deceased man was the only person in the craft.

Airport authorities in Alicante’s El Altet terminal believe the bi-plane had taken off from ‘somewhere in the province of Castellón’ and was heading for Almería.

It is thought to have crashed into the sea just after noon yesterday, landing at around 75 metres away from the coast.

The pilot escaped from the craft and attempted to swim ashore.

But he did not make the journey, and coastguard workers had to recover the body from the water.

The cause of the crash is not yet known, but a resident in the area says the plane’s engine appeared to switch off mid-air and it began to lose height before falling into the bay near the Barranco de les Aigües.