Alex Charles, 44 and his client, 36-year-old tourist Steven Eckhart were on a scenic flight with Charles' firm Tasman Sky Adventures over the Abel Tasman National Park.
The pair failed to return to base at Motueka aerodrome from their hour-long flight on February 9, 2009, and were unable to be reached by radio.
A search on the day of the flight found the wing of the aircraft.
The rest of the wreckage and the bodies of Charles and Eckhart were found in rugged terrain on the eastern slope of Gibbs Hill the next day.
The report found the pilot Robin Charles encountered unexpected turbulence and high winds while flying over Gibbs Hill near Totaranui and lost control of the DGZ.
The loss of control meant the microlight had aerodynamic loads too high for it to sustain leading to the rear leading-edge wing spar suffering a downward failure, the report found.
The wing broke off from the pod which then crashed vertically into the ground - Charles and Eckhart died instantly
A post mortem examination found Charles died from multiple high velocity impact type injuries which included fatal injuries to the head, thorax and abdomen.
Eckhart died from a massive blunt trauma to his head, chest and pelvis.
The inquiry took into account photographs that were recovered from Eckhart's camera.
One photo had been taken 40 seconds before the crash and had given insight into conditions during the flight.
It found Charles appeared relaxed in the photograph and the court suggested this meant they hadn't hit turbulence yet, and when they did the impact on the aircraft had been instant.
"The fact that Mr Eckhart was comfortable in taking the photograph show that the severe turbulence that likely precipitated the loss of controlled flight was not anticipated by Charles," found Coroner Christopher Devonport.
Analysis done after the accident by the New Zealand Meteorological Service revealed there would have been severe turbulence and rotor winds present in the Gibbs Hill area at the time of the accident.
Tasman Sky Adventures business partner Helen Leighton said the findings had confirmed her thoughts on what had happened during the flight.
She said Mr Charles had been a skilled pilot and a "top person."
"I don't have any more to add, we're working to the new CAA changes that have been requested," she said.
Mr Devonport recommended microlight tour operators consider installing emergency parachute systems, displaying meteorological and weather criteria at which their operations would cease, and using lap and shoulder harnesses and active tracking devices.
