The pilot of a small aircraft that crashed in Essex, killing him and another man, has been named as Dylan Patel. Mr Patel, 26, from Southall, and Vamshi Mandala, 25, from India, died after a two-seat Cessna crashed in a field off Mill Lane, Ongar, on June 30. The plane had taken off from North Weald airfield, around seven miles away.
Short flight experience
The aircraft was conducting a "short flight experience" according to Essex Police, with only Mr Mandala and Mr Patel on board. Today (Thursday, August 13), it was announced that a criminal investigation has been launched into the fatal crash.
Opening an inquest, senior coroner for Essex Lincoln Brookes said he had received a request from Essex Police to suspend proceedings pending a criminal investigation running in parallel to a probe by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, reports MyLondon.
Inquest adjourned
Coroner's officer Deborah Wallace told the hearing at Chelmsford County Hall that Mr Patel had been the pilot when the aircraft "unexpectedly crashed". Post-mortem examinations provisionally found both men died from "multiple injuries", pending toxicology results, she said.
Addressing those in court, including family members who joined remotely, the coroner said the "unexpected deaths of both these young men in such a traumatic circumstances can only be described as truly disturbing". He added: "I'm sure that their passing has left a huge hole in all of their lives and I offer my deepest condolences to you all."
Investigation continues
The inquest was adjourned to a date to be set. After the hearing, police published photographs of both victims. Detective Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: "My thoughts, and those of my officers, are with the family and friends of Vamshi and Dylan as they continue to grieve.
"The process of formal identification has been a complex one and one we have carried out with utmost sensitivity. I want to thank those who responded to the incident and who have continued to investigate for the way they've carried out their work, ensuring the dignity of Vamshi and Dylan. We continue to work in parallel with the Air Accident Investigation Bureau so we can give their families the answers they need about what happened."
