Wreckage of missing helicopter found

The wreckage of a helicopter missing in Kahurangi National Park, 35km west of Motueka, has been found, along with the body of the pilot.

The wreckage was found within the search area identified from the Robinson 44 helicopter’s last known position when it went missing on a flight from Karamea to Nelson on Tuesday morning.

This morning a helicopter identified what appeared to be a sheet of paper in the trees. A crewman was winched down and confirmed the paper was linked to the helicopter. The wreckage was found around 3pm.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) has been managing the search which involved up to five helicopters and six ground search and rescue teams over the past four days.

RCCNZ search and rescue coordinator John Ashby praised the efforts of the searchers, while acknowledging the pilot’s family and friends and their loss.

“This is obviously a very sad day for his loved ones and our thoughts are with them,” he said.

“This was an extremely challenging search, given the steep terrain and thick bush canopy, and it is a credit to the skills of the searchers that the wreckage has been found. Identifying a single piece of paper from the air is remarkable and that is what has led us to the crash site.”

Mr Ashby also praised the NZ Police, who coordinated the land search.

Recovery of the pilot’s body is being handled by the NZ Police.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority are both investigating the crash.

ENDS

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