Originally Posted by
SilsoeSid
Been a while, any more news?
The wreckage has been found, but not the driver.
Search for downed helicopter pilot
The pilot of a helicopter which crashed near the Milford track yesterday has been described as expericenced flyer.
Searchers found the wreckage of a Hughes 500 helicopter 838 metres above sea level in fading light and low cloud last night but the pilot was not located. It was thought the crash was not survivable.
A search is being carried out today by the Invercargill police search and rescue team.
Milford Helicopters owner Natalie Shanks today confirmed it was one of the company's helicopters that crashed.
She said the pilot, who was working for the company part-time, had been flying "on and off" for a number of years and was experienced. She would not identify the pilot and declined to comment further out of respect for his family.
New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre (NZRCC) search and rescue mission co-ordinator Keith Allen said the wrecked helicopter was found in steep terrain at 9.15pm Sunday night in the Glade Burn close to the start of the Milford Track, near Lake Te Anau.
"The crew of the helicopter who located the wreckage were able to lower a crewman to the ground, but they were unable to locate the pilot," he said.
"The information from the searcher is that they do not believe the impact was survivable."
The Hughes 500 helicopter was declared missing after it failed to arrive at Dumpling Hut on the Milford Track at 5.30pm. It was on a cross-country flight from Greenstone Valley, Otago.
Contact was last made with the pilot at 4.55pm. When it was reported missing the helicopter company launched a search using another helicopter, which was joined by two other aircraft, Brazil said.
The pilot was experienced and familiar with the area, the NZRCC said in a statement.
- © Fairfax NZ News