SIX men including the pilot were today trying to salvage a 1960s Chinese aeroplane from a muddy field in Flackwell Heath.

The plane, thought to be a Nanchang CJ6A, bewildered villagers yesterday when it appeared to be in trouble and landed about 200 metres away from the M40.

When residents and police arrived at the scene there was no sign of the pilot.

But this afternoon the pilot and five others had 4x4s up at the field, between Fennels Wood and Spring Lane, and were struggling to drag it out of thick mud.

The men told the Bucks Free Press that no one was hurt and the plane had been vandalised overnight.

They refused to comment further though the Bucks Free Press understands the pilot had been flying from Denham Airfield to White Waltham airfield in Maidenhead.

We understand the pilot decided to turn back to Denham as the weather and visibility deteriorated. But the weather continued closing in so he chose to make an emergency landing.

Police spokesman Sarah Colston today said the plane had suffered “a possible instrument failure”.

Chris Chennel, 46, of Chapman Lane, is a local aviation enthusiast and said the plane is based at White Waltham airfield. He said there are only two of its kind in the country.

It is believed the Nanchang was built in 1966 and used to train Chinese pilots.

The wheat field belongs to Carington Estates and the firm's managing agent Neil Taylor joked: "We didn't know it was coming."

He added: "We've been in touch with the owner and hopefully they'll be able to remove it."