AN AIRCRAFT engineer has died after he was crushed to death inside a plane fuel tank after machinery suddenly fell on him.

Popular aircraft technician Georgie Buxton was in intensive care for four weeks after being crushed in the horrifying accident in a hangar at Heathrow Airport.

He was carrying out maintenance tests on a Boeing 787 when machinery suddenly collapsed on him.

The Dreamliner plane he was working on has been taken out of service since the accident while experts try to understand how the tragedy occurred.

Virgin Atlantic bosses were in talks with plane manufacturer Boeing following the tragedy.

A source told The Sun last night: “Georgie was a young and very loved member of the team. Everyone at Virgin is in shock.

“It was not immediately clear what caused the death, and officials have grounded the jet until further notice on safety grounds.

“Heavy metal cannot fall from a jet machinery and the plane be allowed to continue flying.”

The devastated family of the unmarried airport worker, who had worked for Virgin Atlantic for two years and lived near Heathrow in West London, kept a vigil at his bedside after the accident.

Life support machines were eventually switched off earlier this month.

Two years ago, Georgie excitedly took to social media to tell family and friends of his decision to leave Ryanair for his new job as an aircraft technician at Virgin Atlantic.

He wrote: “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as an Aircraft Technician at Virgin Atlantic!

“It’s been a pleasure working with all the engineers and mechanics whilst at Ryanair in Stansted and I’ve been able to develop and learn a lot.

“Now it’s time to move on so I can develop and learn more on different airframes!!”

An inquest into the tragic death will be opened and adjourned later this week at West London Coroner’s Court.

Last night, as tributes poured in for the Heathrow employee, sources at the airline confirmed it has launched its own safety investigation – and vowed to work with authorities and aircraft manufacturer Boeing to understand what happened.

Virgin Atlantic boasts 17 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Each carrying up to 264 passengers, they were once the youngest in the fleet, but a massive renewal rollout means they are now some of the oldest, albeit with an average age of just around ten years.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson told The Sun: “We are heartbroken to confirm that a much-loved member of our engineering team has passed away.

“Our thoughts are firmly with Georgie’s family, loved ones, friends and colleagues at this incredibly sad and challenging time.

“We’re providing support to loved ones wherever we can and sharing our heartfelt condolences to everyone affected.

“Georgie’s family has asked for privacy at this very difficult time.

“The safety and wellbeing of our people is always our top priority, and we are devastated by this incident.

“We are working closely with relevant authorities and the aircraft manufacturer on the investigation to establish all facts.

“Out of respect for those involved and while the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide any further information at this stage.”

A Heathrow spokesperson told The Sun: “We were very sorry to hear of this tragic accident.

“Our thoughts are with Georgie’s family and friends, as well as all of our colleagues in the wider Virgin Atlantic family who feel this loss.”