A FORMER RAF pilot from Dorset has died following a plane crash.

Father-of-two Dave Ashley was one of two pilots who jumped by parachute from the fighter jet during a training flight on Wednesday morning.

Mr Ashley, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene in the area of Monte Legnone, near Lecco in northern Italy.

The crash involved a M-346 aircraft which had taken flight to carry out trials to demonstrate its capabilities, which had been tested previously.

A statement from aerospace company Leonardo, whose plane was involved in the incident, said: “At 11.35am, any contact with the aircraft was lost.

“Thanks to the prompt responsiveness of the rescue teams, the aircraft wreckage was identified nearby Colico (Monte Legnone), between Como and Lecco in the northern Italy.

“Leonardo’s top management express their most heartfelt condolences for the loss of the pilot.

“His name was Dave Ashley, a married 49-year-old father of two children. Deepest sympathies are with his family.”

Mr Ashley, an ex-RAF fighter pilot, was managing director of Ashley Property Group Ltd.

He dedicated his time to the property business in 2019, moving to Branksome Park, Poole, with his wife Heather, months after he was seriously injured in a mid-air collision while training in Qatar.

The former RAF Harrier and F18 pilot was left with a fractured eye socket, broken back and damage to his ankle and hip.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Leonardo said the cause of the accident is under investigation.