Criminal investigation launched into aircraft crash deaths near Ongar
Two men were killed during the crash in June
A criminal investigation is underway following the deaths of two men in a small aircraft crash in Ongar, Essex.
Vamshi Mandala, 25, originally from India, and Dylan Patel, 26, died when their two-seat Cessna crashed into a field off Mill Lane on 30th June.
The aircraft took off from North Weald airfield, roughly seven miles from the crash site, on what Essex Police described as a "short flight experience."
An inquest opened on Thursday, with senior coroner Lincoln Brookes stating that Essex Police requested a suspension of proceedings due to the criminal investigation alongside the Air Accidents Investigation Branch's probe.
Coroner’s officer Deborah Wallace revealed to the Chelmsford County Hall hearing that Patel, from Southall, London, was the pilot when the plane unexpectedly crashed.
Preliminary post-mortem examinations indicated that both men succumbed to "multiple injuries," with toxicology results pending.
Addressing those in the court, including family members who had 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.”
The inquest was adjourned to a date to be set.
After the hearing, police published photographs of both victims and said in a statement: “We continue to work in parallel with the Air accident investigation nureau so we can give their families the answers they need about what happened.”