How did he survive THAT? Pilot, 76, makes miracle escape after crashing plane into suburban back garden

A pilot and homeowner both had miraculous escapes after a light aircraft crashed into a tiny back garden.

The 76-year-old pilot was flying the Cirrus aircraft when he lost control and was forced to deploy the plane's parachute into a quiet suburban back garden.

He then crashed into the back garden of a property in Cheltenham, Glos, in front of shocked roofers and the stunned homeowner.

The pilot, believed to be from London, was saved by the aircraft’s ‘Cirrus Airframe Parachute System’, which allows stricken aircraft to descend safely and has been credited with saving dozens of lives.

The plane was stopped by trees, just yards from houses in Cheltenham, Glos., after it landed between two gardens, caught in conifer trees.

Incredibly, the unnamed pilot emerged from the wreck with just minor injuries following the incident on Thursday morning.

Stunned Karen Davis was working from home when she heard the drone of a plane get closer and closer before the aircraft slammed into her back garden.

Boots project manager Karen, 50, said: 'I could hear this plane. It was making a really odd noise.

'It got louder and louder and then I thought all hell was breaking loose. I ran into my garden and there was this huge plane there.

'The pilot clambered out of the plane and was walking around a bit dazed. A couple of construction workers ran over and helped him, I was in shock. I was so scared.

[Video: Norweigan navy films practice missile launch destroying its OWN ship]

'Paramedics were here within minutes and took the pilot away. We were told to evacuate because of the fumes, but that ended soon after.'

The Cirrus was written off in the crash that left one wing almost completely torn away with the other bent at a 90-degree angle at the tip.

The three blades on the propeller were all bent too, after they smashed into a concrete path where the plane came to rest.

The glass in the cockpit was not damaged, and the orange and white parachute rests over several trees.

Shocked Karen said: 'The pilot seemed okay really, just dazed. I'm so glad he wasn't badly injured - it could have been so much worse.'

Karen joked: 'That was the only part of my garden that we had done up, so I'm a touch annoyed that it's wrecked now.

'If they let me keep the plane, which they won't, it would make an incredible water feature. Charlie Dimmock would be jealous.'

More pictures of dramatic plane crash:

Eyewitnesses told how the single-seater aircraft fell out of the sky.

Student Sam Jeanes, 16, said: 'I saw the plane spiral, and then a big parachute came out the back. It was so close, I was out of my house and running round, seconds before it hit.

'The plane ploughed into the garden, just away from the house. I didn't see much damage on the house though.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and neutralised the fuel onboard the aircraft to make the area safe.

Lee Brickley, 25, added: 'I've never seen anything like it before. It fell like a dead bird.

The pilot, believed to be from London, appears to have been saved by the aircraft’s ‘Cirrus Airframe Parachute System’.

CAPS is an emergency system designed to be allow a stricken aircraft to descend safely and has been credited with saving 69 lives.

The road was closed and emergency services maintained a strong presence in the area.

A police spokesperson said: 'The pilot, a 76-year-old man from London, has suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.