Port Hill fires: Hero pilot Steve Askin's mayday call before crash

The Star can reveal pilot Steve Askin made a mayday call moments before his helicopter crashed.

Mr Askin, a former SAS war hero, was killed in the crash in the Port Hills while fighting fires near Sugar Loaf.

The Star has learned Mr Askin called mayday twice before the call was abruptly cut off.

The funeral for SAS soldier Steve Askin at the Wigram Airbase. Photo / NZDF

An investigation into the cause of the crash is under way but the findings are not expected to be released for at least a year, unless an immediate safety problem is discovered.

Mr Askin's father, Paul Askin, said his son was an experienced pilot, so his biggest concern was any mechanical issues that could be a danger to other people.

"We want any risk to be mitigated as quickly as possible in the interests of other people's safety," he said.

Transport Accident Investigation Commission senior communications adviser Roger Foley said an urgent recommendation would be made if any safety issues were discovered.

The investigators were still inspecting the wreckage, and conducting interviews with people involved, he said.

He said he could not confirm if a mayday call was made, and could not rule out either pilot error or a mechanical failure as the cause of the crash.

Steve Askin was awarded a NZ Gallantry Star for his bravery in a five-hour shoot-out against the Taliban in Kabul in 2014, when he fought with seven fellow SAS soldiers to rescue hotel guests in spite of being wounded.

He left the army in 2013 to spend more time with his family, and took up agricultural work as a helicopter pilot.

This photo was taken the morning after the five-hour shootout against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Paul Askin said his son's wife, Elizabeth, and children Isabelle, 7, and Bowie, 4, were missing him hugely, but getting a lot of support.

A Givealittle page has raised almost $400,000 to help the family.

Steve Askin's SAS friends have also commissioned a line of shirts in his honour, based on his tattoos, his faith and his work, with profits from the sales going to the family.

Steve Askin left behind a young family: his wife, Elizabeth, and children Isabelle, 7, and Bowie, 4.