Air crash investigators have begun an inquiry into the Tiger Moth crash in Dorset at the weekend.

The pilot and passenger, both male, died in the accident near Compton Abbas airfield on Saturday morning.

It is believed the passenger on aboard the vintage biplane as a birthday gift and that members of his family were at the privately-owned airfield at the time.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch confirmed yesterday it had sent a team to investigate.

The AAIB looks into all aviation accidents and serious incidents in the UK.

One eye-witness said the plane's engine seemed to cut out.

A spokesman for the AAIB said: "Our inspectors carried out a site examination over the weekend.

"We expect the wreckage to arrive at our facility in Farnborough later this week, where our detailed investigation will continue. When our investigation is concluded, we will publish a report."