An incorrect modification to a mircrolight led to the death of two men, an inquest found.

Daniel Attubato, 35, of Vinters Way, Weavering and Terry Stewart, 50, from Orpington were killed on August 21, 2004.

Pilot Terry Stewart and passenger Daniel Attubato, who was on his first microlight flight, took off from Rochester Airport but something went wrong during the flight.

Witnesses said the plane appeared to “break up” in the air before spiralling to the ground at Connetts Farm, Eastchurch, Sheppey.

Family members were waiting at the airport to welcome the pair back to the ground.

The inquest, which started on Monday, November 6, concluded this week with a narrative verdict from the jury.

Both men died from multiple injuries.

The verdict read: “The microlight, whilst flying north-west along the northern coast of Sheppey at a height which did not require the pilot to drastically alter altitude to clear the cliffs, experienced loss of control.

"This was due to a structural failure of the top fitting of the right hand upright having been modified incorrectly according to Service Bulletin number 116.

"This failure led to the sudden tightening of the trim cable causing the control bar to be forced forward violently, a sharp pitch-up and an irrecoverable tumble.”

The inquest heard from around 17 witnesses.

In 2008 a court ruled that British Microlight Aircraft Association inspector John Whelan, of Romford, Essex, would not stand trial over the deaths of the two men.

The prosecution offered no evidence against him after psychiatrists found his mental state was such he was likely be permanently unfit to face the charges.

He had denied the manslaughter of his friend and pilot Terry Stewart, and Daniel Attubato.