Flying club pays tribute after 'very popular' member and wife die in plane crash

A flying club said it was "very saddened" after a "very popular" member and his wife died in a plane crash.

Ketan Swali and Sheetal Swali from Syston, Leicestershire, were pronounced dead at the scene after a light aircraft they were in was found at a remote location close to Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd.

Air and ground searches were carried out to find the plane after police were told just after 12:00 BST on August 14 that an aircraft had not arrived at Caernarfon Airport as scheduled.

The Sherwood Flying Club, based in Staffordshire, said the couple's death was "affecting many people in the club who knew them".

Club chairman Martin Olley said: "Ketan was a very popular member and loved to talk about flying and aviation.

"Our heartfelt condolences go to their families and friends at this difficult time."

At an inquest opening on Tuesday, the court heard the couple were travelling from Tatenhill Airport in Burton-upon-Trent in a Piper PA28 aircraft hired from Sherwood Flying Club.

Assistant coroner Sarah Riley confirmed that Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rogers had identified a provisional cause of death for the couple, aged in their 50s, as 1A major impact trauma.

Members of the couple's family joined the inquest in Caernarfon via video link.

The coroner extended her deepest condolences to the couple's family.

Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is conducting an inquiry into the crash.

The inquest was adjourned while investigations continue.