Footballer Emiliano Sala died from massive injuries to his head and chest and could only be identified by his fingerprints, an inquest heard.
But the body of his pilot David Ibbotson was not found in the wreckage of the Piper Malibu that disappeared over the Channel last month.
Brendan Allen, acting senior coroner for Dorset, adjourned proceedings in Bournemouth until November 6 for a pre-inquest review.
He told the hearing this was because an Air Accidents Investigation Branch inquiry into the tragedy could take between six months and a year.
Cardiff City star Sala was identified by his fingerprints after the tragic crash which happened after his record £15 million signing to the Welsh club from Nantes in France.
Details surrounding the footballer’s death emerged hours after the family of David Ibbotson, who piloted the aircraft that crashed over the English Channel, said they won’t give up hope in their fight to find the missing father.
The 59-year-old was carrying Sala from Nantes to Cardiff when the plane crashed into the sea near Alderney on January 21.