Helicopter Missing Milford

[touring_pilot]

Search for downed helicopter pilot
OLIVIA WANNAN
Last updated 07:04 16/12/2013



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Conditions are to be assessed today to see if the search for the missing pilot of a crashed helicopter can continue, the Rescue Coordination Centre says.

Rescuers were not yet back at the scene this morning, spokeswoman Sarah Brazil said.

The search would depend on crew availability and the weather, she said.

The helicopter crashed near Milford Track and was located just before dusk last night.

Searchers were forced to return to base as the crash site was on steep terrain 838m above sea level. Crews were also restricted by fading light at 9pm and low cloud in the area.

There was no word about the pilot, Brazil said.

The Hughes 500 helicopter was declared missing last night after it failed to arrive at Dumpling Hut on the Milford Track at 5.30pm.

The crash site was found 15 minutes before nightfall in the Glade Burn near the start of the track, near Lake Te Anau.

The pilot was on a cross-country flight from Greenstone Valley, Otago.

Shortly after he was reported missing, the helicopter company launched a search using another helicopter, which was joined by two other aircraft, Brazil said.

Stuff.co.nz

[SilsoeSid]

Been a while t_p, any more news?

[Savoia]

Been a while, any more news?

The wreckage has been found, but not the driver.

Search for downed helicopter pilot (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9521492/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

[nomorehelosforme]

Thoughts go out to all involved in this and all other accidents, especially at this time of year.

[KiwiNedNZ]

Name has been publicly released so can now say its Bruce Andrews. Bruce was one of the true good guys of the Kiwi helo industry and was well known throughout Canada, Alaska, NZ and Asia from his travels. Below is a photo I shot of Bruce when I spent some time shooting with him at Soloy Helicopters in Alaska. He leaves behind two little girls. RIP & Godspeed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The pilot killed last night in a Fiordland helicopter crash has been named.
He was William Bruce Andrews, known as Bruce, aged 49. He was a Te Anau man and a pilot for Milford Helicopters. He was the only person in the helicopter. A police search and rescue team has this morning recovered his body.



His death has now been referred to the Civil Aviation Authority and the coroner. Earlier today Milford Helicopter owner Natalie Shanks confirmed it was the company's helicopter that crashed last night. She said the pilot had been flying "on and off" for a number of years and was experienced.
Searchers found the wreckage 838 metres above sea level in fading light and low cloud last night but the pilot's body was not found.



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 in the Glade Burn close to the start of the Milford Track, near Lake Te Anau.


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, to deliver supplies to the hut. NZRCC spokeswoman Sarah Brazilsaid 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, she said.
The pilot was experienced and familiar with the area, the NZRCC said in a statement.


http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g100/KiwiNed/B1_zpsbb2e9fff.jpg

[Gemini Twin]

Terrible news, still a chance isn't there?

[BigMike]

Yes there is always a chance. My thoughts go out to his family.

[SilsoeSid]

Sad news, RiP Bruce.
:(

[Gemini Twin]

Very sad, he will be missed by a lot of people. Condolences to the family.