Paul and Linda Spencer, who lived in a converted barn in Birkhouse Lane, Bailiff Bridge, died when the helicopter being flown by Mr Spencer, came down in the grounds of Rudding Park Hotel, near Harrogate, on Saturday at about 4.30pm.
The inquest was opened and adjourned by the coroner for the western district of North Yorkshire Geoff Fell. Crash investigators have been working at the scene this week and Inspectors from the Department of Transport's Air Accidents Investigation Branch have removed the blue painted Gazelle helicopter for further examinations.
Mr Spencer, 43, and his wife, 59, ran Country Baskets, a wholesale company selling dried and artificial flowers, at East Ardsley near Leeds. The business also has branches at Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham and the company employs about 150 people.
They were customers at the Old White Beare at Norwood Green. Landlord Chris Green said he felt terrible when he heard what had happened.

(Full story in the Brighouse Echo 31/1/08)