A husband and wife died of major impact trauma after the light aircraft they were travelling in crashed in a remote part of Wales, an inquest has heard.Ketan Swali, 59, and his wife Sheetal Swali, 55, from Syston, Leicestershire, were pronounced dead at the scene after the Piper PA28 aircraft crashed near Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd on August 14.The couple had been travelling from Tatenhill Airport near Burton-upon-Trent to Caernarfon Airport when the aircraft failed to arrive as scheduled, triggering an air and ground search.
Wreckage found after search operation
North Wales Police were alerted shortly after noon after the aircraft failed to reach Caernarfon Airport. The coastguard had also raised concerns about a possible aircraft collision.Following what police described as a challenging search, the wreckage was found in a remote location near Trawsfynydd.At an inquest in Caernarfon, assistant coroner Sarah Riley said the couple had been travelling in an aircraft hired from Sherwood Flying Club.Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rogers gave the provisional cause of death for both as 1A major impact trauma.
AAIB launches investigation
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.The inquest was adjourned until the investigation is completed.
Retired businessman had taken up flying
Ketan Swali, an engineer, had recently retired after closing his family manufacturing business, Arc Euro Trade Ltd, which he had run for decades.He had completed his first solo flight in 2023 and was looking forward to spending more time flying following his retirement, according to neighbours.
‘The best of neighbours’
Neighbours in Syston paid tribute to the couple, describing them as kind, friendly and helpful.Susan Watson told the Daily Mail that they were “the best neighbours” she had ever had, while another neighbour described them as “lovely people”.The couple are understood to have two daughters. Members of their family joined the inquest via video link, with the coroner offering her condolences over their deaths.