preliminary news report:
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1316907/1585872
Two dead in mid-air collision
Feb 17, 2008 2:04 PM
Two people are dead after a light plane and a helicopter collided mid-air above Paraparaumu, north of Wellington late this morning.
Police say the two who died were on the crippled helicopter that crashed.
The plane also crashed, just missing a house but hitting Placemakers on Kapiti Road.
The Placemakers building is only a few hundred metres from the runway at Paraparaumu Airport.
The pilot of the helicopter has been taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Helicopter company Helipro, one of New Zealand's largest helicopter operators has confirmed one of its aircraft was involved in the collision.
Witness Ron Nippert says he was walking along Mazengarb Road in Paraparaumu when he heard a noise which sounded like a car backfiring.
He says he turned around and looked over and saw two different parts of the plane falling down.
Police have now cordoned off parts of Kapiti Road and more than half a dozen fire trucks as well as police and ambulances have been called out.