Dutch pilots in deadly Southend plane crash are named as firm pays tribute to 'highly skilled' pair
Captain Danny Marco Franken and first officer Floris Christiaan Rhee, understood to be Dutch nationals, and were flying a medical plane that had been chartered for a patient who needed treatment in the UK.
They had successfully dropped off the patient and were returning to the base in the Netherlands on 13 July when the crash happened, killing all four people on board.
Alongside Mr Franken and Mr Rhee, were 31-year-old nurse Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, originally from Chile, and German doctor Dr Matthias Eyl, 46.
Marco Rietvelt, managing director of Zeusch Aviation, the company which owned the plane, said: "Danny and Floris were not only highly skilled pilots, but also greatly valued and popular members of our team.
"Their passion for flying was matched by their dedication to their colleagues and the important missions they carried out.
"We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic loss.
"Our priority is to support the families of those lost, as well as our employees, during this incredibly difficult time.
"We are also fully committed to assisting the authorities in their ongoing investigation."
The inquiry by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch into what happened continues.
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