The first picture of the former RAF pilot reportedly from High Wycombe killed in a plane crash in Dubai last Thursday has been released.

Pilot David Phillips, 52, was on board the UK-registered light aircraft which crashed three miles south of Dubai International Airport, according to the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

According to national reports, Mr Phillips spent more than 20 years in the RAF, was head of airfield support and operational services at the airport in Afghanistan between September 2000 and December 2002.

He “established and maintained operational capability in hostile conditions at Kabul airport” and also ensured “safety-critical aerodrome capability in direct support of royal and VVIP operations at RAF Northolt”.

Having held the rank of Wing Commander in the Air Traffic Controller Branch. He also worked with the RAF Air Cadets Adult Volunteer acting as Officer Commanding 83 (St Georges) Squadron, holding the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

83 Squadron Air Training Corps wrote on Facebook: "It's with heavy heart that we have to inform you of the death of our Commanding Officer Flt Lt David Phillips.

"Our heartfelt condolences are with his family at this tragic time."

An RAF spokesperson said: “The RAF and RAF Air Cadets are hugely saddened by of the death Mr David Phillips, our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

The aircraft is registered to Flight Calibration Services Ltd, based in Shoreham, West Sussex, according to Flight Radar.

The company announced in November that it had secured a contract to carry out work at Dubai International Airport.

The airplane which crashed was a Diamond DA42 light aircraft, which according to Diamond’s website had a “high degree of crashworthiness" and was “easy to fly and burns fuel like a single, but with the added safety of a second engine".

Diamond’s website added: "Diamond's industry-leading safety record is the result of our commitment to protecting you and your passengers with a long list of active and passive safety features.

"Active safety features help to avoid accidents in the first place, the first and most important line of defence.

"Passive safety features are designed to minimise the probability and degree of injury, in case the unexpected happens.

"The DA42 offers the ultimate in handling, stability and control, ease of operation and structural, system and propulsion redundancies, all coupled with a high degree of crashworthiness."