Husband and wife died from impact trauma in plane crash, inquest hears

An inquest has opened into the deaths of a husband and wife who died in a plane crash.

Sheetal Swali and Ketan 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 Friday that an aircraft had not arrived at Caernarfon Airport as scheduled.

Assistant coroner Sarah Riley said the couple were travelling from Tatenhill Airport in Burton-upon-Trent in a Piper PA28 aircraft hired from Sherwood flying club.

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

The hearing was told that the coastguard had alerted North Wales Police with reports of a possible aircraft collision.

The coroner 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.

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

The inquest was adjourned while investigations continue.

And the coroner extended her deepest condolences to the couple’s family.