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The mid-air collision between a helicopter and a light plane that claimed three lives yesterday was "an accident waiting to happen", a group opposed to the development of Paraparaumu airport says.
A helicopter and Cessna light plane collided about 11.15am above Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast, killing three men.
The two crew of the Helipro helicopter died instantly. The pilot and sole occupant of the light plane, a Kapiti Aero Club Cessna 152, was flown to Wellington Hospital with multiple injuries but died late yesterday afternoon.
The names of the men were yet to be released by police, pending formal investigation, but Palmerston North based Square Trust Rescue Helicopter spokesman John Funnell said one of the men in the helicopter was experienced pilot Dave Fielding who worked as a rescue pilot and save hundreds of lives.
The other was a trainee pilot.
The Paraparaumu Airport Coalition, set up to oppose the planned development of an industrial estate surrounding the airport, said the collision was an "accident waiting to happen".
Spokesman Michael Woods said the airport did not have an air traffic controller, was very busy, and was surrounded by housing developments.
"We have these helicopters going round and round in circles all day long,"he told Radio New Zealand.
"You've got the fixed wing aircraft and then you've got the gliders. And they're trainee pilots, they're inexperienced.
"The airfield, as it is now, is an accident waiting to happen - and it happened."
After the collision the two aircraft crashed in two locations, 200m apart.
The helicopter plummeted through the roof of a timber yard at Placemakers, while the light plane hit the roof of a house and came to rest in a residential cul-de-sac, Dennis Taylor Court. Neither caught fire.
Inspector John Spence, Kapiti Mana Area Police Commander said debris was scattered over commercial and residential areas.
He appealed to residents not to touch anything and to call Kapiti police if they found crash items on their properties.
"Recording where the items are found and then properly securing them for later analysis will help investigators find out how the crash happened," he said.
"It could be several days before the main wreckage is able to be removed."
Mr Spence said it was extremely fortunate that nobody on the ground at either crash site was injured.
"This crash is a huge tragedy for the families of the men involved, and for the wider community," Mr Spence said.
"We feel for the families and friends of those who have died, and also for those who witnessed the crash, or fled for their lives as the wreckage fell from the skies."
It was reported today that Mr Fielding, 30, was due to marry in a month. He leave behind a three-month-old daughter.
Mr Funnell said it was ironic that Mr Fielding died on a sunny day near an airport.
"A lot of Dave's work was at night, often in adverse weather and where sometimes you did have to push the boundaries in order to get a mission done."
Kapiti Aero Club confirmed the Cessna pilot was a student at the club.
Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan described the crash as a "major tragedy" for family and friends of the victims and the district as a whole.
"This is an incredibly sad day for everyone," she said.
"On behalf of the district, I offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. My thoughts are with all those who have been frightened or traumatised by this event."
Ms Rowan said it was a miracle more people weren't hurt or killed in the accident.
"When you see the site it's hard to believe we got off so lightly."
Ms Rowan thanked the emergency services who were involved in the crisis.
"(They have) been brilliant, they were co-ordinated, professional and really on the case."
The council would continue to work with residents, businesses, the police and emergency services as part of a coordinated emergency response, she said.
- NZPA
