A CORONER has returned a verdict of accidental death after two Dorset men were killed in a plane crash.

Pilot Shorland Hosking may have died a hero after diverting his plane away from a motor show at Thruxton, Winchester Coroners Court heard.

The 55-year-old Poole Hospital consultant and his friend Richard Wheeler, the managing director of Space Industries, based at the old Hurn Chapel, died on April 17 last year.

Their two-seater aircraft spun into the ground and burst into flames near the Hampshire village of Weyhill, the inquest heard on Wednesday.

The plane was diverted to Thruxton after a mayday call but diverted and crashed two minutes later.

Coroner Grahame Short said Mr Hosking may have “aborted the landing to avoid any risk to the thousands of people at a motor sport evening.”

The inquest heard an electrical fault may have created fumes that disorientated both men. The ensuing fire destroyed the evidence of exactly what happened.

Both men were religious and Vicar Andy Perry from St Mary’s Longfleet said afterwards: “These were two very honourable men of great standing, who were well liked by a great number of people.”

The men had been returning to Bournemouth from an air safety show at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, when the plane got into difficulties.

Mr Wheeler left behind his wife, two grown-up sons and a daughter.

His widow Pauline said: “He was an excellent father and an excellent husband and his death has left a big hole in our lives.”

Mr Hosking had worked at Poole hospital for 16 years and specialised in gastrointestinal surgery.