A PILOT from Bury has died in a plane crash in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Chris Wilson, pictured, was the co-pilot on the flight which came down in Bandundu on Wednesday last week, killing 19 others.

The 39-year-old had been based in the African country since he started working for Congolese airline Filair last year.

He leaves his parents, Jean and Eric Wilson, of Brandleshome Road, Bury, a twin brother Robert, and siblings Martyn, Vivienne and Janet.

His mother, Jean, aged 78, said: “I heard about the plane crash last week but I had no idea that Chris was involved. It’s such a shock.

“He loved flying and he worked hard to fulfil his dream of becoming a pilot. He had three jobs at once just to pay for his training. He absolutely adored flying.

“I’m very proud of him for working so hard. He loved life and did everything he could to achieve his dream.”

Tributes have been flooding in from his friends and colleagues around the world, with many leaving comments on his Facebook page.

Mrs Wilson said: “There have been so many messages from people he has known through the years. We didn’t realise so many people cared for him.”

Chris’s best friend, Martin Kirkby, of Windermere Drive, Ramsbottom, said: “It is a tragedy. Chris worked really hard to become a pilot and he died doing what he loved. His passion was always to fly and he was very happy to be doing it.

“Chris was always the life and soul of the party. He met so many people and would do anything for anybody.

“He lived life to the max. He achieved more in his life than most people do in 70 years.”

Born and bred in Brandlesholme, Mr Wilson was a pupil at Woodbank Primary School and Bury CE High School.

He attended Bury College before studying at universities in London and High Wycombe, where he achieved degrees in business and environmental management.

Mr Wilson joined the Territorial Army and was a member of the Royal Green Jackets.

He trained in bomb disposal and served in the USA and Germany.

He took up various jobs, including at H Samuel jewellers in Bury and night shifts in a bakery, before becoming an air steward.

Mr Wilson worked for Airtours for several years before moving to another airline, BMED.

He travelled all over the world, visiting countries including France, Russia, USA and Ethiopia.

While working as a steward, Mr Wilson fell in love with flying and decided to train as a pilot.

He gave up his post and took a range of other jobs to raise the thousands of pounds needed for flying lessons.

Mr Wilson, who moved to Cheltenham six years ago, spent much of his time at airfields and took navigation tests.

Last year, he started working for Filair, which runs domestic flights in the Congo and carries cargo.

It was an opportunity for him to gain experience of flying, often doing several flights each day.

He returned to the UK at Christmas for an enforced break from flying and had gone back to the Congo in July.

Mystery surrounds the cause of the crash and an investigation has been launched.

All airlines in the Congo have been blacklisted by the European Union because of the country’s poor air safety record.

As he was not carrying any identification, Mr Wilson’s family were only informed of his death on Saturday morning.

They are now speaking with the British Consulate to organise for his body to be brought back to the UK.

It could be several days before a funeral can be arranged.

Outside work, Mr Wilson enjoyed running and raised more than £3,000 for Arthritis Research UK when he completed the London Marathon in 2001.

He also enjoyed cycling and other sports, as well as socialising.

He loved travelling around the world and spent time on a kibbutz in Israel with his brother, Robert.