Fatal chopper crash probe

The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the crash of a New Zealand helicopter in the Pacific that killed a Mexican pilot who had been living in Auckland.

Details are scarce, but it is understood the helicopter went down north of Samoa near Tokelau on October 2, killing 34-year-old Eduardo Lavalle. His co-pilot escaped uninjured.

CAA spokesman Bill Sommer said safety investigators went to Samoa late last week and were conducting an examination.

"It crashed at sea north of Samoa, it was part of a fishing operation. We don't have a lot of information, it crashed in international waters. But we will investigate it as much as we can."

Mr Lavalle was working for Western Pacific Helicopters, based in Wanaka.

Owner and chief engineer Rod Price spent last week in Samoa working with authorities.

Mr Lavalle had been put through a training facility in Wanaka as part of his assessment for the job - flying the helicopter to and from tuna fishing boats.

"We put a lot of effort into his training to make sure the guy was suitable for the job," Mr Price said.

Mr Lavalle's co-pilot got out of the helicopter before it sank.

"The survivor was instrumental in the rescue of Eduardo and the subsequent attempts to resuscitate him, which went on for some time. It was over an hour and then the doctor instructed them to stop; there was no hope of recovery for Eduardo," Mr Price said.

Mr Price was working with the Mexican Embassy to send Mr Lavalle's body home.