John Richard Ingham, (45), from the Ripon area, was flying a Piper 38, which is popularly known as a Tomahawk.

Horrified witnesses raised the alarm after they saw the plane crash into the sea near Stoupe Beck.

The huge search and rescue operation was made more difficult as the plane plunged into the sea at high tide at around 4.20pm on Friday.

More than 40 rescue workers were involved including RAF Sea King helicopters, a police helicopter, lifeboats and coastguards.

The submerged aircraft was found at about 11.45am on Saturday by a police underwater search unit which then discovered the body nearby.

The body was airlifted up to the cliff before being taken to Scarborough Hospital for identification.

The plane's recovery was carried out by the Air Accident Investigation Branch, coastguards and the RNLI and the aircraft was dismantled on the beach on Sunday afternoon by an RAF crash team.

Mr Ingham, worked as an aviation charter broker.

His family said in a statement: "With the shock of losing such wonderful husband and father, the family are clearly devastated at the news. John was a very private person and the family request that the press and media respect his and our wish to grieve in private."

An inquest into Mr Ingham's death will open and adjourn at Scarborough Coroners' Court later this week.