AN inquest has concluded a plane crash that killed a pilot and his son’s friend was an accident.

Nick Jefferies, who was 54, and Scott Penlington, aged 25, died at the site where the plane crashed at Cwmbach, near Builth Wells, on September 18, 2016.

Both men, who were from Holmes Chapel in Cheshire, suffered multiple blunt injuries after the microlight plane span out of control and crashed in a field.

An inquest jury, sitting at Welshpool Town Hall, agreed the aircraft had a structural failure, but did not know what caused it.

Pilot Mr Jefferies, who had previously taken One Direction pop star Harry Styles for flying lessons, had been flying to Swansea to meet his son Oliver.

The plane crashed on the family farm of Rebecca Fleck who who had been walking with friends when she witnesses the crash.

She told the inquest one of its wings had "bent up", after first appearing to fly normally before making what appeared to be a "steep climb" and coming back down. The plane then started "spinning, rolling in all directions" before coming down with what she described as a "thud".

A structural failure in the wing, which experts said was due to an overload or stress, was identified by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

The plane had been travelling at 97 miles per hour but its speed increased to 120mph which would have increased the pressure.

Coroner Andrew Barkley said Mr Jefferies had been described as a thorough and conservative pilot who had flown about 350 hours, having first qualified in 2014.

At the time of the crash the families of both men released tribute to them.

Scott Penlington’s family said: "Scott was a fun loving, kind hearted young man who lived life to the full. His Twitter bio statement was: ’Live life when you can, don’t regret just learn’, he certainly did that.

"We knew he was very popular but we have been truly overwhelmed by the hundreds of tributes and outpouring of love for him.

"He always will be much loved, made us all very proud and will be desperately missed."

A family tribute to Nick Jefferies read: "Adventure seeker who was fuelled by his love for life. Lived a life full of humour, experiences, love and the Jefferies charm.

"Influenced the lives of many and inspired the hearts and minds of most.

Would want to be remembered for his stories, advice and outlook on living a life without limits. Loved by his daughter Emilie, son Oliver and his right hand man, Norm."