A 21-YEAR-OLD man died of his injuries when the light aeroplane he was flying crashed in North Yorkshire.

Pilot, Matthew Samuel Bird, 21, from Spofforth, and his 24-year-old passenger Oliver Dawes, from Burley in Wharfedale, were killed when the two-seater aircraft they were in crashed in Thorganby, not far outside York, at about 9.50am on Sunday, July 28.

An inquest opened into Mr Bird’s death on Tuesday (August 13).

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Coroner Jonathan Leach told Northallerton Coroners' Court that Mr Bird died from facial injuries. Mr Leach said he was single, a student pilot and worked as a barista.

He adjourned the hearing to a later date pending further inquiries.

Matthew Bird, 21, from Spofforth, was killed when the two-seater aircraft he was flying crashed in ThorganbyMatthew Bird, 21, from Spofforth, was killed when the two-seater aircraft he was flying crashed in Thorganby (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

Mr Bird’s family paid tribute to him through North Yorkshire Police after his death.

“We lost our son, a brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend,” they said.

“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.”

North Yorkshire Police said it is working with the Air Accident Investigation Branch to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Mr Dawes, whose inquest was opened and ajourned a week earlier on August 6, was described by his family as a “dearly loved son, cousin, nephew and friend”.

And an inquest opening into his death heard how he was a Jet2 mechanic.

In that hearing, Coroner Jonathan Leach said that Mr Dawes died from neck and chest injuries.

“Oliver will continue to live on in our hearts and memories as the kind, generous, hardworking and fun man he had become,” they said in a statement released by North Yorkshire Police.

“We will miss him every day for the rest of our lives, we are heartbroken.”

Oliver Dawes, from Burley in WharfedaleOliver Dawes, from Burley in Wharfedale (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

Keir Mather, MP for Selby, paid tribute to Mr Dawes and Mr Bird the day after the crash, saying: "I am incredibly saddened by the news regarding the plane crash in Thorganby.

Tribute to two men killed in North Yorkshire air crash “My heart goes out to the two men who lost their lives, as well as their loved ones at this awful time.

“Thank you to the emergency services including the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, North Yorkshire Police and the Air Accident Investigation Branch who are working to establish the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident.”