Memorial service for pilot killed in PNG

A memorial service is to be held in Rotorua for former Rotorua pilot Chris Hansen, who was killed in a plane crash in Papua New Guinea last month.

Mr Hansen and Auckland pilot Richard West died when their Twin Otter plane crash landed at an airstrip in the central highlands on February 22.

All 10 passengers and a cabin attendant survived.

Mr Hansen's mother Julie Hansen said her son's body was flown back to New Zealand late last week.

A memorial service would be held at Rotorua's Destiny Church on Thursday afternoon.

At least 600 people were expected to attend, including Mr Hansen's colleagues from the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF).

Mr Hansen's wife Janice and their three children would not be there, as they were still making arrangements to return to live in Rotorua.

They were expected back in New Zealand within about three weeks, when a private burial service would be held.

MAF's general manager in New Zealand, Rick Velvin, said two investigations were being carried out - one by the fellowship and another by PNG's Department of Civil Aviation.

The investigations were expected to take weeks, if not months, to complete.

The results of an autopsy which had been done would be sent to the coroner in Papua New Guinea.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)