Two men were killed after their small plane performed aerobatics before nosediving into a field, air crash investigators say.
Matthew Bird, 21, from Spofforth, and Oliver Dawes, 24, from Burley in Wharfedale, were the pilot and passenger of the two-seater Cessna light aircraft that came down in Thorganby, Selby.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene on 28 July last year.
In an update on Monday, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said: ‘The aircraft was performing aerobatic manoeuvres north of Breighton Airfield.
‘It entered a steep descent and struck the ground in a field near Thorganby. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
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‘The investigation is ongoing, and the final report will be published in due course.’
In a statement at the time, Matthew’s family said: ‘Yesterday we lost our son, a brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.
‘Matthew meant so much to so many. We are utterly heartbroken but he will live on in our hearts as we cherish the incredibly special memories he’s left us with.’
Oliver’s family said: ‘Oliver will continue to live on in our hearts and memories as the kind, generous, hardworking and fun man he had become.
‘We will miss him every day for the rest of our lives, we are heartbroken.’
