Another Aussie Helo Pilot Killed Off Fiji
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Townsville Australia
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another Aussie Helo Pilot Killed Off Fiji
This is from Kiwi News Agency
Aust pilot dies in Fiji chopper crash
Dec 6, 2006
An Australian pilot is dead after his helicopter crashed into the sea off Fiji.
The 36-year-old Queensland man died when his helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from Nadi on Tuesday.
The man, who worked for transport company Island Hoppers, is understood to have offered to take Fiji government officials to a safe haven following the Pacific island nation's coup.
The Australian High Commission is liaising with local authorities to confirm details of the incident.
An Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokeswoman said it was understood the pilot was the only person on board the aircraft.
"We have extended consular assistance to the man's family, who have asked that their privacy be respected," the spokeswoman said.
The Fiji Times Online reported that an eyewitness saw the helicopter explode on the surface as it plunged into the ocean between Vuda Island and Bounty Island.
Timoci Nasilasila, a diver from Viseisei in Vuda, said he was at home when he saw the helicopter go down.
"It exploded on the surface before it went into the sea," he said.
Nasilasila said that he and a colleague had recovered the pilot's earmuffs, identity card and some debris.
Airports Fiji Limited spokesman Apenisa Nagatalevu told the Fiji Times the helicopter was leaving for Vomo Island.
"At this point, the cause of crash has not been identified (and) the aircraft and pilot are yet to be located," he said.
Police and Fiji's civil aviation authorities are investigating.
Fiji's military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama has seized power in the Pacific island nation, rounding up key public figures loyal to the ousted government of Laisenia Qarase and declaring a state of emergency.
Aust pilot dies in Fiji chopper crash
Dec 6, 2006
An Australian pilot is dead after his helicopter crashed into the sea off Fiji.
The 36-year-old Queensland man died when his helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from Nadi on Tuesday.
The man, who worked for transport company Island Hoppers, is understood to have offered to take Fiji government officials to a safe haven following the Pacific island nation's coup.
The Australian High Commission is liaising with local authorities to confirm details of the incident.
An Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokeswoman said it was understood the pilot was the only person on board the aircraft.
"We have extended consular assistance to the man's family, who have asked that their privacy be respected," the spokeswoman said.
The Fiji Times Online reported that an eyewitness saw the helicopter explode on the surface as it plunged into the ocean between Vuda Island and Bounty Island.
Timoci Nasilasila, a diver from Viseisei in Vuda, said he was at home when he saw the helicopter go down.
"It exploded on the surface before it went into the sea," he said.
Nasilasila said that he and a colleague had recovered the pilot's earmuffs, identity card and some debris.
Airports Fiji Limited spokesman Apenisa Nagatalevu told the Fiji Times the helicopter was leaving for Vomo Island.
"At this point, the cause of crash has not been identified (and) the aircraft and pilot are yet to be located," he said.
Police and Fiji's civil aviation authorities are investigating.
Fiji's military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama has seized power in the Pacific island nation, rounding up key public figures loyal to the ousted government of Laisenia Qarase and declaring a state of emergency.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry to hear this horrible news. I have only just come back from working in Nadi in fixed wings and we were all a very tight nit group. My thoughts go out to the family and friends of this very sporting and popular bloke. Will miss ya mate.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Still in the classrooms
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good Airman great airmanship!!
Indeed we will miss him. He was one of the only guys that always embraced the Fijian culture and its ways. He always had a smile and a laugh for everybody around him. Many student pilots in Fiji wanted to fly by his standard.He was and will be always be an example of good airmanship...
Very sad news.
I beleive he was in the R44.
Very sad news.
I beleive he was in the R44.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Aust
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I’m gutted… We trained together in the early/mid 90's... It was always great to see you when you dropped by for a chat... I’ll miss you and your stories mate. Forever in our thoughts.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Too frign close to home this one....... so sad.
Guiseppe..... Mate i can only imagine your sunbaking on some desserted fiji island sippin coktails in the sun and feeding on tropical lush fruits with a big smile on your face lettin us all know what you think of the industry the way only you can....... Cheers to ya mate.
ps. Did i mention it was an island inhabited by beautiful women only. Enjoy. Will see you there one day.
Condolences to the family and fellow friends.
Ciao
Guiseppe..... Mate i can only imagine your sunbaking on some desserted fiji island sippin coktails in the sun and feeding on tropical lush fruits with a big smile on your face lettin us all know what you think of the industry the way only you can....... Cheers to ya mate.
ps. Did i mention it was an island inhabited by beautiful women only. Enjoy. Will see you there one day.
Condolences to the family and fellow friends.
Ciao
Join Date: May 2006
Location: victoria
Age: 50
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
KP was a great guy. i flew with him a couple of times doing check rides when i was private jockey. and he was always a pleasure to speak to when we caught up now and again.
sad news for everyone.
a fun memory was when even in the dead of winter he would rock up to work in king jee shorts. lol what a trooper!
BP
sad news for everyone.
a fun memory was when even in the dead of winter he would rock up to work in king jee shorts. lol what a trooper!
BP
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NZ Southern Alps
Age: 58
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Devastating . . .
You were a pilot's pilot. Taught me a lot of stuff I live by every day, and many things I have passed on word for word to students.
Always enjoyed your ready sense of humour and stories of your adventures in the big bad world of general aviation.
You were a friend and a mentor. I will miss you greatly.
Farewell.
You were a pilot's pilot. Taught me a lot of stuff I live by every day, and many things I have passed on word for word to students.
Always enjoyed your ready sense of humour and stories of your adventures in the big bad world of general aviation.
You were a friend and a mentor. I will miss you greatly.
Farewell.
Police locate helicopter
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Police have located the helicopter that crashed in the Vuda waters early this week. West police chief Emori Laqai confirmed that the pilot was dead. The discovery was made two days after the crash.
Senior Superintendent Laqai commended all those who were part of the search team especially the divers from the Police Tactical Response Division. "Despite the political upheaval, they spent their time out there and managed to find the wreck and the pilot," he said. "We thank them for their tireless efforts."
The Island Hoppers-owned helicopter crashed while on its way to pick guests from an island resort off Lautoka. Airports Fiji Limited chairman for emergency operations centre Apenisa Nagatalevu said the helicopter was on its way to Vomo Island from Nadi when it crashed into the sea at approximately 6.59am on Tuesday.
The helicopter crashed between Vuda and Kadavu Lailai or Bounty Island. "There was one pilot on board," he said. "At this point, the cause of crash has not been identified." A team from the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji are investigating how the chopper crashed.
They had interviewed those who had been to the scene and also witnessed the chopper crashed. A diver from First Landing Resort who was one of the first to witness the helicopter go down said it exploded before going into the sea. Timoci Nasilasila, 23, of Viseisei in Vuda said that he was at home when he saw the helicopter go down.
Police have located the helicopter that crashed in the Vuda waters early this week. West police chief Emori Laqai confirmed that the pilot was dead. The discovery was made two days after the crash.
Senior Superintendent Laqai commended all those who were part of the search team especially the divers from the Police Tactical Response Division. "Despite the political upheaval, they spent their time out there and managed to find the wreck and the pilot," he said. "We thank them for their tireless efforts."
The Island Hoppers-owned helicopter crashed while on its way to pick guests from an island resort off Lautoka. Airports Fiji Limited chairman for emergency operations centre Apenisa Nagatalevu said the helicopter was on its way to Vomo Island from Nadi when it crashed into the sea at approximately 6.59am on Tuesday.
The helicopter crashed between Vuda and Kadavu Lailai or Bounty Island. "There was one pilot on board," he said. "At this point, the cause of crash has not been identified." A team from the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji are investigating how the chopper crashed.
They had interviewed those who had been to the scene and also witnessed the chopper crashed. A diver from First Landing Resort who was one of the first to witness the helicopter go down said it exploded before going into the sea. Timoci Nasilasila, 23, of Viseisei in Vuda said that he was at home when he saw the helicopter go down.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll miss the dry wit of the bloke.
Condolences to his family, and I'll miss catching up with you from time to time mate, pleasure to be around and always a joy to shoot the breeze with and receive advice from you.
Best Regards
Loachy
Best Regards
Loachy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: victoria
Age: 50
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hi guys.
ive recieved a great little compilation of photos of kirk in the seat and out and about sent from a close friend.
any friends who wants them for the memories pm me and ill pass them on.
cheers BP
ive recieved a great little compilation of photos of kirk in the seat and out and about sent from a close friend.
any friends who wants them for the memories pm me and ill pass them on.
cheers BP
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Aust
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our friend Kirk...
Kirk’s funeral will be held this Tuesday 19th December at 11:00hrs.
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington.
http://www.forestlawn.com.au/driver....ge=/contact+us
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington.
http://www.forestlawn.com.au/driver....ge=/contact+us
