THE pilots killed when a light aircraft crashed in Perthshire on Sunday have been named as Andrew Thompson, 37, from Chester, and John MacKinnon, 53, from Ross-shire.

Police Scotland issued a statement naming both men but stressed that formal identification is yet to take place.

An investigation has been launched into the circumstances which led to the fatal crash.

The small plane was en route to Dundee airport when lost communication with air traffic control around midday.

Emergency services were called to search the area, leading to the discovery of the wreckage near Abernyte at 4pm on Sunday.

As with all sudden deaths a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

An AAIB spokeswoman said their investigators arrived at the site on Sunday and remain on the scene.