Vamshi Krishna Mandala, a 25-year-old student who had just completed his master's degree, was killed when the two-seat Cessna aircraft he was in crashed into a field near Ongar, Essex, on June 30. The flight was a 30-minute 'flight experience' he booked to celebrate his academic achievement.
Crash details
The aircraft came down at around 12.30pm just off Mill Lane, leaving tangled wreckage. The North Weald Airfield website describes the experience as allowing participants to sit in the front seat and operate dual flight controls under the supervision of a certified flight instructor. The cost is £125 for the 30-minute session.
Victim identification
Mr Mandala's younger brother, Nitesh, confirmed his identity and launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise £12,000 to repatriate his brother's body to India. 'Vamshi tragically lost his life in a fatal aircraft accident. He had recently completed his master's degree and was looking forward to beginning a new chapter of his life. To celebrate this milestone, he booked a 30-minute flight experience. What should have been a joyful and memorable day ended in an unimaginable tragedy,' Nitesh said.
The identity of the second person on board has not been made public. A process of disaster identification using fingerprint technology and DNA is ongoing.
Investigation
DCS Morgan Cronin, of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: 'I'd like to thank everyone involved in this complex investigative process and the local community for their understanding and support. We left the crash site having completed a meticulous three-day search. Two people who were on board the aircraft have been removed from the site. Although formal identification is yet to take place, our thoughts remain with the deceaseds' families who are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time.'
Essex Police are asking for any doorbell camera or dashcam footage to help explain the cause of the crash. The aircraft has been carefully dismantled and removed. Investigations are continuing alongside a parallel probe by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
