Sussex Police said it appeared he steered the plane away from homes during the crash on Monday.
The Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) are investigating the incident.
'Avert greater tragedy'
His family issued a statement, which said: "Alan was a captain for British Airways for many years who flew all over the world and lived life to the full.
"He loved aeroplanes and when he retired from BA, he built his own light aircraft.
BBC news