Kiwi pilot missing after chopper crash

A New Zealand-based helicopter pilot and two others are missing after the chopper they were in crashed in the remote West Papua region of Indonesia on Saturday morning.

Helicopter operator Kershaw Aviation Group said in a statement the pilot was 42-year-old Shri Rama Krishnan, of Auckland.

He had been flying a six-seater Squirrel helicopter with two passengers on board on a routine food supply trip.

The Jakarta Post reported the helicopter had been carrying food for United States mining company Freeport-McMoRan.

The helicopter left the airfield at the mining town of Tembagapura at 8.12am (local time) and is believed to have encountered bad weather conditions. It attempted to turn back, and the control tower lost contact about 20 minutes later.

A locator beacon had been activated and the wreckage was found, however, inaccessible terrain prevented searchers from reaching the area.

The statement did not say whether anyone had been seen near the wreckage.

Kershaw Aviation Group chief executive Josh Kershaw said Mr Krishnan had been working with the company for the last 12 months. He had logged 3100 flying hours, making him "a very experienced pilot''.

"This is a route he would have travelled many times and he has previous extensive experience in similar environments,'' Mr Kershaw said.

He said the helicopter was suited for the environment and territory and was equipped with the latest technology and a tracking system. It also had a pilot oxygen system on board due to the high altitudes at which it worked.

"At this stage we are not able to comment on what may have happened, but will be working very closely with air accident investigators to establish exactly that.

"Two members of our senior management team are on their way to the province to work with the authorities. Safety is our number one priority and we will also be conducting a full internal investigation into this incident.''

Mr Kershaw said the company's thoughts were with the pilot's family and friends, to whom they were offering their full support.