Emiliano Sala And Pilot Were Exposed To Harmful Levels Of Carbon Monoxide In Cockpit Of Crashed Plane

Sala’s body was recovered on February 6 and a post-mortem examination took place at Bournemouth Mortuary the following day. The remains of Ibbotson, of Crowle, Lincolnshire, have never been found. 

An opening inquest into Sala’s death at Dorset Coroner’s Court in February heard the footballer had died from “head and trunk injuries.” 

The AAIB stated that the aircraft took off at 7.15pm GMT and flew on its planned route at an altitude of 5,500 feet until it was around 13 nautical miles south of Guernsey at 8.02pm.

At that point, the pilot requested permission from air traffic control to fly at a lower level to maintain visibility.

He was cleared by the controller to fly at 5,000 feet, and when asked if a further descent was required, Mr Ibbotson responded: “Negative. Just avoided a patch there but back on heading 5,000 feet.”

The last radio communication received from the aircraft was at 8.12pm when the pilot asked for and was granted permission to reduce altitude again.