KEY POINTS:
Family members of the victims of the Air New Zealand Airbus tragedy are this morning preparing to fly to France, joining a team of the company's top executives, aviation accident investigators and police.
An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said last night that over the next two days the family members of three of the victims would go to Perpignan, the town closest to the crash scene where more than 40 search and rescue divers are trying to find five bodies. The two bodies already recovered had not been identified last night.
The New Zealanders presumed killed in the crash, in the Mediterranean Sea 3km off the French coast, are Captain Brian Horrell, 52, and engineer Murray White, 37, both from Auckland, Christchurch engineer Michael Gyles, 49, engineer Noel Marsh, 35, also from Christchurch, and Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness inspector Jeremy Cook, 58.
Two German pilots were also killed.
The Air Force's leading investigator is helping to find the cause of the crash.
Squadron leader Russell Kennedy is in Perpignan working with Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) deputy chief investigator Ken Mathews.
The TAIC asked for the Air Force's assistance. Mr Kennedy is a 30-year Air Force veteran and has trained in accident investigation in the United States. Mr Mathews has been given "accredited representative" status by the French, and is actively involved in the investigations.
Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe and deputy chief executive Norm Thompson arrived in Perpignan early yesterday, with a support and investigation team of representatives from the airline's security, safety investigations, A320 fleet and communications divisions.
The team also included members of the police, the NZ Airline Pilots Association and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.
With them on the journey were Emma Gould, the partner of Murray White, and her mother, Sue Bourke.
"Together with my mum we have been strong together during the long trip to Perpignan," Ms Gould said.
"It is important to me that we are here at the location of the accident as a means of bringing us closer to Murray. Our desire is to bring Murray home and I certainly hope that we will be able to do this."
Shellie Horrell, wife of Captain Brian Horrell, paid tribute to a loving husband and father with "with a twinkle in his eye and an infectious laugh".
Mrs Horrell said that aside from being a pilot and flight instructor, her husband was also passionate about waterskiing, jetskiing and motorcycles.
"Brian was extremely well liked and regarded by his airline pilot colleagues at Air New Zealand. He was a dedicated professional, always preparing meticulously in his methodical manner. The acceptance and delivery flights of the A320 from Europe home to New Zealand were no exception."
A statement issued by Mrs Horrell, with assistance from her husband's grieving colleagues read: "Shellie and the family would like to thank all involved, especially Air New Zealand and family friends, for their wonderful help and support, and express appreciation for the flood of kind words and wishes."
Mr White's parents, Mike and Colleen White, said their son, who leaves an 8-year-old son, had only recently been promoted to the role which led to him being sent to Perpignan.
They said Mr White, who followed in his father's footsteps when he joined Air New Zealand as an aircraft engineering apprentice 19 years ago, enjoyed spending time with his family and outdoor pursuits including windsurfing and blow-carting. His family had planned to move into a new home in the next three weeks.
The cockpit voice recorder retrieved from the shattered remnants of the wreckage was to be sent to Paris this morning, where it will be dried out and then examined to see if it contains crucial information on the crash.
French search and rescue divers were expected to bring up the second recorder today.
Investigators remain hopeful the voice recorder, which is expected to contain conversations in the cockpit during the plane's final moments, will give them with much-needed answers.
Air New Zealand group general manager international airline Ed Sims said the recovered recorder appeared to be in a good condition.
"This marks a significant step in the process of understanding what caused this tragic accident."
The second black box contains technical records, including the aircraft's speed, altitude and trajectory.
