Helicopter missing with two aboard

An aerial search will begin at first light for a helicopter which went missing yesterday on a flight from Auckland to Queenstown.

The Eurocopter with HTF on its side, being flown by an Auckland man with an overseas passenger, was last seen on radar at 10.14am, over land south of Raglan Harbour after leaving Auckland at 9.45am, Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokeswoman Heidi Brook said.

Liquor baron Michael Anthony Erceg, of Auckland, is listed by the Civil Aviation Authority as owning a Eurocopter with the registration number ZKHTF. He is ninth on the National Business Review Rich List.

His company, Independent Liquor, supplies beer, wines and spirits on both sides of the Tasman.

Its big success has been its ability to successfully ride the alco-pop wave as drinkers, particularly younger ones, have turned away from beer.

Ms Brook said searches for the helicopter with planes and some helicopters would begin at first light, 5.40am.

Yesterday, after Christchurch air traffic control told the centre about 4pm the helicopter had not turned up as expected, checks had started for sightings of the Eurocopter.

Centre controller John Dickson said the maroon-coloured helicopter had been expected to refuel at Wanganui and Rangiora before arriving in Queenstown at 4pm.

"Our inquiries so far have turned up nothing. The helicopter has not been seen at Wanganui or Rangiora airfields, and the pilot has not used his fuel card."

Mr Dickson asked for people to report sightings of the maroon helicopter with the letters HTF on its side.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES, NZPA