Glimpse of paper leads to crash site

A Robinson 44 helicopter, similar to the one Damian Webster was flying. Photo / Robinson Helicopters

A piece of paper caught in a tree led searchers to the wreckage of a missing helicopter and the body of pilot Damian Webster in Kahurangi National Park.

Mr Webster was flying from Karamea to Nelson on a maintenance mission on Tuesday, with another helicopter, when his Robinson 44 was lost over the Kahurangi Range.

The wreckage and Mr Webster's body were found about 3pm yesterday, within the search area identified from its last known position.

A helicopter crew member identified what appeared to be a sheet of paper in the trees of the national park, Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand spokesman Steve Rendle said.

A crewman was winched down and was able to confirm the paper was linked to Mr Webster's missing helicopter.

The crewman was also able to locate a piece of the perspex from the helicopter.

"Such was the nature of the terrain it took another two or three hours to find the wreckage itself," Mr Rendle said.

Earlier this week the pilot's uncle, Peter Webster, said the father-of-one in his 30s, had been living in Karamea and working as a builder. He said Mr Webster's parents and other immediate family had been together in Nelson awaiting news. He described his nephew as a "great, great guy".

A police spokeswoman said Mr Webster's body would be removed from the scene of the crash today.

RCCNZ has managed the search over the past four days, which involved up to five helicopters and six ground search and rescue teams.

It had been a long and arduous search, Mr Rendle said, made more difficult by the terrain and weather.

"It's very difficult terrain, very steep and very heavily covered in bush so it means that you can't do a traditional grid search. It is a case of following contours of the land."

Windy weather on Wednesday also hampered the search as helicopters were unable to maintain a low speed flight, Mr Rendle said.

"That was the aim, to make sure they had a good look at what was under the canopy."

Mr Rendle said it was not an outcome anyone would have wanted.

"I think everyone involved will be feeling for the family at this time."