Kiwi's deadly plunge under investigation

Authorities are investigating the cause of a plane crash that killed a Kiwi cropduster in Western Australia.

Martyn Lial Lilley, 38, died after his Cessna crashed about 260km southeast of Perth, on November 17.

Police said Lilley had been working as a cropduster since moving to the area about two years ago. His funeral was held in Te Kuiti on Friday morning.

Four Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators have examined the crash scene. Lead investigator John Robins told Western Australia media that a definitive reason for the crash had yet to be established.

"There tend to be numerous factors that contribute to an accident."

Robins said investigators were interested in the controls and engine of the aircraft.

"That gives us clues as to what the aircraft might have been doing just prior to impact."

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority is also investigating. It is the second crop-dusting fatality in the region in two months.

anna.leask@hos.co.nz