‘Cheerful’ father named as second victim in plane crash over Lancashire moors

The family of an aviation buff who died in a plane crash have described him as ‘the kindest person you could meet’.

Mustafa Qays Obadey, 39, suffered fatal injuries alongside Arian Abassi in an aircraft which plunged into farmland after taking off at Birmingham airport.

The pair took off in a Cirrus SR20 G6 Premium Platinum plane on February 3, and an investigation is underway into the crash.

A parachute was seen caught in a pylon close to the crash site in the Lancashire moors.

A spokesperson for his family said: ‘He was the most humble, kind man you’ll ever meet. A man made of peace. The glue of the family and community. Always available and accepting for everyone. Thank you Mustafa.’

Littleborough plane crash — A parachute caught in a pylon close to the crash site (Picture: MEN Media; Getty)

The plane crashed near Rochdale and the investigation is being lead by Greater Manchester Police and the Air Accident Investigation Branch.

Nersess Siragan, who worked with Mr Obadey, wrote in a tribute on Facebook: ‘You’ll never get a chance to say goodbye to loved ones until it’s too late. My friend Mustafa died in a plane crash in Manchester. He was such a lovely young man, always cheerful and an optimist.

‘I can’t imagine going to work and not seeing him. My heart goes out to his mother, father, brothers and his children.’ ‘I’m sure you’re in a better place now.
‘God bless your soul and rest in peace.’

The emergency response after a small plane crashed near a lake in Greater Manchester. // Photos show the dramatic emergency response after a small plane crashed near a lake in Greater Manchester. Michael Perry, 31, was out walking his dog when he noticed a huge emergency response by Hollingworth Lake in Littleborough, Rochdale. A light aircraft crashed to the ground by the lake this afternoon, sparking a huge emergency response. It is believed the aircraft, a small Cirrus SR20, took off from Birmingham, with two people travelling in it. Photo released 03/02/2026 — The emergency response after a small plane crashed near a lake in Greater Manchester
(Picture: Michael Perry / SWNS)

Another tribute online said: ‘The other man who died in the crash is Mustafa Obadey who shared a passion for flying.

‘He was a very popular person and loved by everyone who met him, and a good friend of mine. I remember a few weeks ago he showed me pictures of the low wing plane and it’s modern avionics.’

Arian Abbasi, 36, was one of two men sadly pronounced dead at the scene in Littleborough, Rochdale on Tuesday.

Last week, Mr Abassi’s family described him as a ‘deeply loving father and a devoted husband’.

‘He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support.

‘Flying was his passion, and he was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on 23 February; a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination.’

Officers are searching for part of the parachute system which contains propellant.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: ‘The nature of the terrain, and the wide area over which it may have travelled, has made finding the device very difficult.’