Coroner's Court Examines Fatal Birmingham Plane Crash Details
Inquest proceedings have commenced for two "deeply loved" family men who tragically lost their lives in a light aircraft crash near Birmingham earlier this month. The formal investigations aim to determine whether the aircraft's ballistic parachute system was activated before the devastating impact on moorland terrain.
Victims Identified as London-Based Professionals
The victims have been identified as 36-year-old pilot Arian Abbasi from Harrow, London, and his 39-year-old passenger Mustafa Qays Obadey from Greenford, west London. Mr. Abbasi, described by his family as a "deeply loving father and devoted husband," was reportedly on the verge of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline later this month. Mr. Obadey, an interior designer, was remembered by Greater Manchester Police as "the glue of the family and community" and "the most humble, kind man you'll ever meet."
Investigation Focuses on Parachute System
Key components of the Cirrus SR20 aircraft's ballistic parachute have been recovered following a public appeal by investigators. Police confirmed they are specifically examining whether the parachute deployed before the aircraft came down near Blackstone Edge on February 3. A member of the public later found and handed over the parachute section containing propellant to authorities.
Flight Details and Crash Location
According to flight tracking data, the aircraft departed from Birmingham Airport just before 10:00 AM on the day of the incident. The plane traveled approximately 40 minutes before its last signal was detected south of the M62 motorway near Marsden, West Yorkshire. The crash occurred in moorland above Whittaker Lane in Littleborough, Rochdale, where a significant police presence was established at the scene.
Formal Inquest Proceedings Underway
Rochdale Coroners' Court heard that no official cause of death has been established at this preliminary stage. Assistant Coroner Michael Salt acknowledged "there is clearly a need for an inquest" as both Greater Manchester Police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch continue their detailed investigations into the flight's final moments.
Pre-inquest review hearings have been scheduled for June 8, 2026, for Mr. Abbasi and July 6, 2026, for Mr. Obadey. Both men were formally identified through fingerprint matching with existing records in the national database. The victims were reportedly regular users of Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport, a former RAF training base that now serves as an aviation hub.
The investigation continues as authorities piece together the sequence of events leading to this tragic aviation incident that has left two families and communities mourning their loss.
