Essex Plane Tragedy
Criminal investigation launched after two men die in Essex plane crash
Key Points
Tracking data from Flightradar24 shows the two-seat Cessna had been flown twice that day, including at least one prior trip by a friend of Mandala before the Ongar crash.
Essex Coroner Lincoln Brookes opened an inquest into the deaths, noting both men died from multiple injuries; families attended via video link, and he warned the inquiry could take a considerable amount of time while police investigations continue.
A fundraising page has been set up to help cover the repatriation costs for Mandala’s body following the crash.
Essex Police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch are conducting parallel investigations, with officers appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
The crash occurred about eight minutes after takeoff from North Weald Airfield, with the plane coming down in a field near Mill Road; Mandala was a Masters student at the University of East London.
A criminal investigation is underway after a two-seat Cessna crashed near Ongar, Essex, on June 30, killing both people on board. Pilot Dylan Patel, 26, from Harlow, and passenger Vamshi Mandala, 25, an Indian student, died at the scene from multiple injuries, according to Mirror and Essex Gazette.
The plane took off from North Weald Airfield and crashed roughly eight minutes later into a field near Mill Road. Essex Police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch are now running parallel probes into what happened, Echo News reported.
A Short Flight That Ended in a Field
The Cessna had taken off from North Weald Airfield, about seven miles from the crash site. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows the plane had already flown twice that day. One earlier trip was made by a friend of Mandala before the fatal flight, according to Mirror.
The aircraft came down in a field off Mill Lane, Ongar. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The flight had been billed as a short experience flight to celebrate Mandala finishing his degree, Mirror reported. He was a Masters student at the University of East London.
Police Call Crash 'Disturbing' and Open Criminal Probe
Essex Police launched a criminal investigation into the deaths. Officers called the circumstances "disturbing" and urged anyone with information or who witnessed the crash to come forward. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is also running its own separate inquiry at the same time, Examiner Live reported.
DNA and fingerprint tests were used to confirm the identities of both men. Investigators are working to piece together exactly what caused the plane to go down. Authorities have not yet stated a cause, and the probe is expected to take considerable time, according to Hello Rayo.
Inquest Opened but Quickly Adjourned for Police
Essex Coroner Lincoln Brookes opened an inquest into both deaths. He confirmed each man died from multiple injuries. Families of the victims attended the hearing via video link from abroad, according to Echo News.
Brookes adjourned the inquest almost immediately. He warned that the inquiry could take "a considerable amount of time" while the police criminal investigation continues. No date has been set for the inquest to resume, Essex Gazette reported.
Tributes Pour In as Family Seeks Repatriation Funds
Mandala, originally from India, had been celebrating finishing his university studies when he boarded the flight. Friends and supporters have set up a fundraising page to help cover the cost of returning his body to India, according to Mirror.
Patel, 26, was from Harlow, Essex. Both families have been informed and are being supported by authorities. Hello Rayo noted that Mandala was originally from India and Patel from the London area. The crash has left both communities in mourning.
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