Search for missing chopper pilot suspended

Mike Mehrtens was spraying gorse in his Hughes 500 when he disappeared. Photo / Supplied

The search for the body of missing helicopter pilot Michael Mehrtens has been suspended after an extensive operation in a remote North Canterbury lake failed to find him.

Debris from the Hughes 500 helicopter he was flying was found in Lake Sumner at a depth of 127 metres by a Navy remotely operated vehicle late on Sunday.

Items including spray booms, agricultural fittings and what appeared to be the underbelly of the helicopter were found.

"Unfortunately we have not been successful in locating pilot Michael Mehrtens," said Canterbury police operations manager Inspector Craig McKay.

The Navy operational diving team and the Police national dive squad would be suspending the recovery operation and reviewing the search to date.

"The family is understandably disappointed at this setback but we will continue to support them as will their family and friends."

Mr McKay said it has been a challenging environment to work in with difficult access and terrain.

"We will complete our review and then be better placed to make an informed decision about continuing the recovery operation. It's not possible to say when that review will be completed and any decision made."

Mr Mehrtens, 35, was the only occupant of the helicopter which crashed near Breaksea Bay on Monday afternoon last week while spraying gorse for the Department of Conservation.

Mr McKay said it was unknown whether Mr Mehrtens' body was still in the wreckage.