TRIBUTES have been paid to two men who are suspected to have died after their plane crashed into the English Channel.

Lee Rogers and Brian Statham took off from Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon on April 2.

The pair were heading to Le Touquet, a seaside town in northern France, when their Piper PA-28R lost radar contact.

HM Coastguard and the French Coastguard conducted a search off the Sussex and Kent coast, but nothing has been found.

An investigation is currently being carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) into the cause of the crash, which is believed to happened during a snow storm.

Lee and Brian’s families have paid tribute as they made appeals to help locate their bodies.

In a statement issued by police, Lee's family said: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful father, a loving husband and a devoted family man Lee Rogers, who has been taken from us due to a tragic air accident.

"Lee was travelling as a passenger with his friend - with whom he had learned to fly. This trip was part of a group fly out with the South Warwickshire Flying School, which included several other aircraft.

"After encountering freak weather conditions over the channel, contact was lost with Lee’s aircraft around 10.30am. We have no choice but to assume Lee has passed on.

"Anybody who knew Lee will testify to a larger-than-life character who lived life to the full, a man with a big heart and limitless generosity.

"A skilled and enthusiastic pilot, a lover of all manner of fast and loud machines, which also included a newfound love of yachting.

"Not only a successful entrepreneur, known for his principled and uncompromising code of ethics, Lee was also a kind-hearted supporter of various charities.

“But first and foremost, Lee was a family man. Sarah has been married to Lee for eight years and they had been happy for many years before.

"Not just a great marriage but great partners who shared genuine adventures. Ellie, Lee’s daughter, and the apple of his eye was his greatest joy.

"Lee had a daily tale to tell of his little girl, another larger-than-life character, who reflects her parents in all the best ways.

"It’s not fair that Ellie should be parted with her father so young, or that Sarah should be robbed of her husband way before his time or that Lee’s parents and sister lose a son and brother.

"Life isn’t fair, but few leave a legacy like Lee, even if they had a hundred lifetimes.”

The Argus: Brian Statham Brian Statham

Brian's family added: "As competent pilots, with over 20 years of flying experience combined, it was horrific news.

"If you live on the northern coast of France or the southern coast of England and like to spend time at the beach, or near the English Channel, please be vigilant for any form of aircraft debris, clothes and personal items.

"If you see anything, please pick it up and hand it into the local authorities. Your help in this, could provide comfort and closure for the families and allow us to start the grieving process.

"As of this week, our loved ones are missing, and we are unable to even consider a funeral."

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: “Coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Lydd and Lee-on-the-Solent, together with two fixed wing aircraft, as well as the Dungeness and Hastings RNLI lifeboats, joined French search and rescue resources in the search on April 2 and 3.

"Nothing was found, and the searches were suspended at 5.50pm on April 3.”