Chopper suffered engine failure: witnesses
By Indonesia correspondent Tim Palmer and staff
An investigation is underway into the cause of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of nine Australian Defence Force personnel on the Indonesian island of Nias.
Witnesses say the helicopter's engine died while it was 30 or 40 metres above the ground before it crashed cockpit first into a football field.
The inquiry is expected to examine whether over-work and stress contributed to the crash.
HMAS Kanimbla, on which the helicopter was based, will continue to help with relief efforts for the victims of the Indonesian earthquake.
Two men survived the accident and are being treated for fractures on HMAS Kanimbla, which is off the island of Nias.
Chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove, says efforts are being made to bring home the bodies of the dead.
"This, we believe, will not be possible before Tuesday at the earliest," he said.
The Indonesian President, who will start a visit to Australia today, has offered to provide any assistance necessary to help that process.
Crash witnesses
Villagers told the ABC they began signalling for help to the Australian helicopter as it flew overhead.
It then circled their village twice and then made a low approach towards the football field.
They say that around 30 or 40 metres before it was over the football field they heard the engine die and the helicopter crashed cockpit first into the field.
Residents of the village rushed to the wreckage to attempt to rescue those on board but they say it caught on fire within five or 10 minutes of the crash.
The blackened wreckage, now no more than 1.5 metres high, is strewn across the football field with the cockpit nose cone thrown some 20 metres free.
The crash is the deadliest military accident since 18 servicemen died in the crash of two Black Hawk helicopters in 1996.
Gen Cosgrove says no arrangements have yet been made to provide another Sea King helicopter and crew for the ship.
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