Plane crash victim was celebrating passing masters with 30 min flight experience

This is the first picture of a young student who was killed taking part in a ‘flight experience’ to celebrate passing his master’s.

Vamshi Krishna Mandala was one of two killed when his small plane crashed into a field just outside of London on June 30.

The two-seat Cessna aircraft came down at around 12.30pm leaving tangled wreckage just off Mill Lane in Ongar, Essex.

The 25-year-old got on the fatal flight shortly after his friend took part in the £125 for a 30-minute experience in the clouds.

North Weald Airfield website says the sessions see participants sit in the front seat of the aircraft and even operating dual flight controls under the supervision of a certified flight instructor.

The identity of the other person on the plane has not been made public.

Mr Mandala’s younger brother Nitesh said: ‘Vamshi tragically lost his life in a fatal aircraft accident.

‘He had recently completed his master’s degree and was looking forward to beginning a new chapter of his life.

‘To celebrate this milestone, he booked a 30-minute flight experience.

‘What should have been a joyful and memorable day ended in an unimaginable tragedy.’

Launching a GoFundMe he hopes to raise £12,000 to get his brother repatriated to India.

‘Our family is devastated by this sudden loss’, he added.

‘No words can describe the pain of losing a loving son, brother, and friend so unexpectedly.

‘While we continue to grieve, we are also facing the difficult and expensive process of bringing Vamshi’s mortal remains back to India so that our family can perform his last rites according to our traditions and give him the farewell he deserves.’

DCS Morgan Cronin, of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: ‘I’d like to thank everyone involved in this complex investigative process and the local community for their understanding and support.

‘We left the crash site having completed a meticulous three-day search.
Two people who were on board the aircraft have been removed from the site.

‘Although formal identification is yet to take place, our thoughts remain with the deceaseds’ families who are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time.’

A process of disaster identification has taken place using fingerprint technology and DNA to identify the victims.

The aircraft has been carefully dismantled and removed from the site.

Essex Police are asking for any doorbell camera or dashcam footage to help explain what caused the crash.

Their investigations continue alongside that of the parallel investigation by AAIB investigators.

To donate to the GoFundMe click here.