THE body of a missing pilot who crashed into the sea has been recovered.
Simon Wells, 44, crashed off Winchelsea Beach on August 6.
The aircraft was located on the sea floor shortly after and a complex operation was needed, with the assistance of specialist MoD marine staff, to recover it safely.
The operation was carried out on Sunday.
The aircraft was largely intact and the body Mr Wells, of Dunes Road, Greatstone, Kent, was found inside.
The aircraft was taken to the shore at Newhaven and is now with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).
The body was taken ashore at Rye and a postmortem was carried out yesterday.
The cause of death was not established and further tests will be carried out, but the death is still not being treated as suspicious.
An inquest is expected to be formally opened and adjourned in the next few days.
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