Sad - Seneca Crash atop Mt Tarankai
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Sad - Seneca Crash atop Mt Tarankai
The pilot killed when his Piper Seneca crashed into Mount Taranaki is being described by his boss as a "really good guy".
The bodies of pilot Wayne Stratford and passenger John Hoskin remain in the wreckage.
The aircraft is owned by Nelson based Flight Corporation and a sometimes emotional Chief Executive Simon Palmer says it is a very tough time for the company and its staff of five.
He says Wayne Stratford was a highly experienced pilot who had previously flown with Air New Zealand Link before joining his operation three years ago.
Mr Palmer says Mr Stratford knew the flight path between New Plymouth and Nelson very well and had travelled the route hundreds of times.
He says the two men were returning from delivering aircraft parts to New Plymouth when the accident happened.
He says Mr Stratford was also a qualified Air Traffic Controller who would have been comfortable flying in the conditions.
Recovery Delayed
The bodies of two Nelson men killed in a plane crash on Mount Taranaki will probably remain with the wreckage for some time.
Sergeant Matt Prendergast says the two bodies were found side-by-side in the cockpit, but he says they will need to look at video footage taken today to assess whether or not they can bring the bodies home.
He says not only is the weather bad but there is also a danger the plane could fall down the mountain.
Matt Prendergast says they will need to make sure everything is secure.
He says until the weather improves they will not be able to get up the mountain to remove the bodies.
In the meantime he hopes they can use the video footage of the aircraft to help assess the situation and formulate a plan for recovering the bodies.
The bodies of pilot Wayne Stratford and passenger John Hoskin remain in the wreckage.
The aircraft is owned by Nelson based Flight Corporation and a sometimes emotional Chief Executive Simon Palmer says it is a very tough time for the company and its staff of five.
He says Wayne Stratford was a highly experienced pilot who had previously flown with Air New Zealand Link before joining his operation three years ago.
Mr Palmer says Mr Stratford knew the flight path between New Plymouth and Nelson very well and had travelled the route hundreds of times.
He says the two men were returning from delivering aircraft parts to New Plymouth when the accident happened.
He says Mr Stratford was also a qualified Air Traffic Controller who would have been comfortable flying in the conditions.
Recovery Delayed
The bodies of two Nelson men killed in a plane crash on Mount Taranaki will probably remain with the wreckage for some time.
Sergeant Matt Prendergast says the two bodies were found side-by-side in the cockpit, but he says they will need to look at video footage taken today to assess whether or not they can bring the bodies home.
He says not only is the weather bad but there is also a danger the plane could fall down the mountain.
Matt Prendergast says they will need to make sure everything is secure.
He says until the weather improves they will not be able to get up the mountain to remove the bodies.
In the meantime he hopes they can use the video footage of the aircraft to help assess the situation and formulate a plan for recovering the bodies.
