Inquests have opened into the deaths of the pilot and passenger who died in a light aircraft crash on Queen's Sandringham Estate.

Eastern Daily Press: Valerie Barnes, who died in a plane crash on the Queen's Sandringham Estate. Picture: COURTESY OF CHRONICLE LIVEValerie Barnes, who died in a plane crash on the Queen's Sandringham Estate. Picture: COURTESY OF CHRONICLE LIVE (Image: Archant)

Retired company director Nigel Dodds, 58, from Market Lane in Dunston, Gateshead, was flying the four-seater Piper PA28 over the Norfolk coast before crashing on marshland at Wolferton, near King's Lynn, on September 11.

He was flying with former school worker Valerie Barnes, 73, from Hillcrest Drive in Gateshead, at the time.

MORE: Pilot who died in Queen's Sandringham Estate named as Nigel DoddsMORE: Flying clubs react to light aircraft crash at WolfertonMORE: Tributes paid to Valerie Barnes, from Gateshead, killed in Wolferton light aircraft crash The pilot and passenger died at the scene and inquests into both deaths were opened and adjourned at Norfolk Coroner's Court by senior coroner Jacqueline Lake on Wednesday, September 20.

Eastern Daily Press: The roads were blocked in Wolferton by Police after a light aircraft crashed on the Royal Estate. Picture: Ian BurtThe roads were blocked in Wolferton by Police after a light aircraft crashed on the Royal Estate. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

She said the plane ended up near Wolferton pumping station and both pilot and passenger, identified by dental records, died from multiple injuries due to an aviation crash.

A pre-inquest review into the deaths will happen in Norwich on March 5.