Emiliano Sala's pilot dropped out of training for commercial licence five years ago without qualifying after failing to complete theoretical training David Ibbotson began studying in 2012 but dropped out two years later He failed to complete his theoretical training, his instructor has confirmed Emiliano Sala's body was found in the plane's wreckage in the ChannelBy Mike Keegan For The Mail On Sunday and Connor Boyd For Mailonline Published: 22:30 GMT, 2 March 2019 | Updated: 22:48 GMT, 2 March 2019 Viewcomments The pilot of the plane which carried Emiliano Sala had dropped out of training for his commercial pilot's licence five years ago, it has been revealed. David Ibbotson began studying in 2012 but dropped out two years later without qualifying after failing to complete his theoretical training, his instructor has confirmed. Cardiff City striker Sala's body was found in the plane's wreckage in the Channel just off Guernsey two weeks after it crashed. It had been taking the Argentinian to Wales after his £15million move from Nantes. Mr Ibbotson's body has not been found. David Ibbotson began studying in 2012 but dropped out two years later without qualifying Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala's body was found in the plane's wreckage in the Channel The transfer is being investigated by FIFA after a referral by Nantes. Doctor Stuart E Smith, head of training for the school, told the BBC the pilot had contacted him in 2016 to discuss resuming training, but it was never followed up. He said: 'It is common for middle-aged private pilots to undertake the CPL theoretical knowledge course so that they may then complete CPL flight training and be able to earn money as a pilot or flight instructor.' Martin Robinson, chef executive of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, said the organisers were to blame for not checking if Mr Ibbotson was properly qualified. He said: 'It's the responsibility of the person who organised the flight to have a suitably qualified pilot at the controls and to ensure the pilot had sufficient flying experience for this kind of flight and for the weather conditions that may be encountered. 'Mr Sala would have had no knowledge of David Ibbotson's licence but the person organising it should have known about that. They've let this man down.' Ibbotson, 59, failed to complete his theoretical training, his instructor has confirmed Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility