A Virgin Atlantic engineer died from a traumatic brain injury after a fuel tank explosion at Heathrow, an inquest heard.
Aircraft technician Georgie Buxton, 23, was injured during the incident at Heathrow Airport on 11 June and underwent several operations on his head and neck.
He died in hospital on 7 July.
Senior coroner Lydia Brown opened and suspended an inquest into his death at West London Coroners’ Court on Thursday while awaiting the outcome of an investigation into whether criminal charges should be brought.
The Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation alongside the Health and Safety Executive.
Buxton was one of two Virgin Atlantic technicians examining a fuel leak on a Boeing 787-900 at about 8.45am on 11 June.
An Aviation Policing spokesman told the court: “Both technicians wore breathing apparatus to protect them from any residual fuel fumes whilst inside the fuel tank.
“They were supported by three colleagues during that task.”
The spokesman said a “non-combustion explosion” occurred while Buxton was inside the fuel tank.
He added: “Georgie Buxton took the impact of that explosion to his head and torso causing him to lose consciousness and suffer catastrophic injury.”
His colleague, who was in another part of the fuel tank and was not injured, managed to move Buxton out of the tank and on to the platform stairs they were using.
The spokesman added: “The bang caused by the explosion was heard by others. The alarm was raised and first aid commenced.”
London Ambulance Service crews, Aviation Policing officers and the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service attended the scene.
Buxton was taken to hospital, where he underwent several operations but later died from his injuries.
A forensic post-mortem examination carried out at the request of the police found that he had suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by craniofacial trauma, meaning an injury to the head and face.
Buxton worked as an aircraft technician for Virgin Atlantic at Heathrow Airport, having previously held the same role at Ryanair.
The Aviation Policing spokesman described the criminal investigation as being at “a very early stage” and involving “very serious and complex matters”.
Brown said she had received no details of any possible charges.
Addressing Buxton’s family and partner, who attended remotely, she said: “My role as a coroner at this stage is quite a limited one.
“I will, of course, defer to the police investigation. I will simply suspend my inquiry pending the outcome of that.
“I am going to formally suspend this matter.
“Given I do not know the nature of any potential matters that the police are investigating, and quite rightly so at this stage, I am just going to suspend (the inquest) under my general discretionary powers to do so.”
In a personal message to Buxton’s family, Brown said: “Can I take this opportunity to say how very sorry I was to learn of the circumstances of this young man’s death.
“Words just can’t explain how difficult this must be for you, please take our sincere condolences this end.
“We will do whatever we can to make nothing even worse for you and try and explain every process.
“You will be at the heart of any inquiry should that take place in the future.”
