The Civil Aviation Authority has grounded a series of helicopters after a fatal crash this week.
Stephen Anthony Nicholson Combe, 42, of Wanaka and James Louis Patterson Gardner, 18, of Queenstown, died after their Robinson 44 helicopter crashed on Thursday.
Wreckage of the Robinson R44, operated by Queenstown-based Over the Top Helicopters was located in remote bush in the Lochy Valley area, in the Eyre Mountains southwest of Queenstown on Thursday.
A preliminary scene examination by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and CAA has already taken place.
As a result, the CAA has ordered a directive prohibiting the flight of all Robinson R44 aircraft with the same main rotor blade installed.
