AN inquest into the death of a Red Arrows aerial display team pilot who died after he was ejected from his cockpit while on the ground has explored the possibility that the effects of Night Nurse might have played a part in his death.

Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham, 35, was an experienced pilot with the RAF's aerial display team but was fatally injured after being ejected from his aircraft while on the ground at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire, on November 8, 2011.

The parachute on the ejector seat did not deploy and the South African-born airman later died in hospital.

During the first day of the inquest Central Lincolnshire Coroner Stuart Fisher read the findings of a post mortem examination report.

He said tests showed Flt Lt Cunningham had used Night Nurse, which includes the ingredient promethazine, the evening before the incident and, according to the report, the medication could cause some sedation and impair performance in pilots.

However, in written evidence to the inquest another doctor reported it was very unlikely that any sedative effect had remained the following morning.

Some of Flt Lt Cunningham's team-mates who were with him on the day of the incident told the inquest that he did not appear to be unwell or in an altered mood.

The inquest continues.