THE pilot of a plane that crash-landed in Hampshire could have been taken ill leaving his terrified passenger to land the plane, an inquest heard.

Anthony Baker, 53, and Elaine Parry, 43, died when their aircraft came down in a field last October.

Southampton Coroner's Court heard that Mr Baker, an experienced pilot, had liver disease which could have caused a sudden irregular heartbeat or even loss of consciousness.

Pathologist Professor William Roche said it was entirely possible Mr Baker could have been suddenly taken ill mid-flight.

The inquest heard how Mr Baker and Mrs Parry were flying the aircraft from Shoreham in West Sussex to Devon via a coastal route.

The plane deviated from its planned route and flew over the New Forest at just 500 feet shortly before the horrific crash in a field off Shotts Lane, Lymington.

Air crash investigator Kenneth Fairbank said: "A significant event must have occurred which caused the aircraft to leave course position."

He said some of the plane's settings were in an unusual position suggesting an inexperienced pilot could have tried to make the landing.

The inquest heard Mrs Parry had on occasions flown fixed-wing aircraft but was not a qualified pilot.

Witnesses told investigators they had seen the aircraft perform a manoeuvre above the field, pitch upwards steeply then roll and fall towards the ground disappearing behind trees.

There were no witnesses to the crash itself and the plane, with the bodies of Mr Baker and Mrs Parry thrown outside, was discovered by a farmer.

An examination showed there were no mechanical defects with the plane, although a very small fuel sample showed it may have been contaminated by oil.

Mr Baker and Mrs Parry, both of Brighton, were pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance crews. Both died of multiple injuries.

Jurors at the inquest returned a verdict of death by misadventure.

Coroner Keith Wiseman said: "This applies when an individual is testing themselves in some way. A mountaineer who dies on a mountain, or someone who flies a plane, is testing life to the extreme. A person is lawfully carrying out a perfectly lawful activity."