Transport authority begins chopper crash inquiry

Mt Aspiring National Park.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has launched an inquiry into the helicopter crash in Mount Aspiring National Park that killed two talented pilots.

Graham Alan Stott, 31, of Wanaka, and student Marcus Hoogvliet, 21, of Queenstown, were on a training flight when their Robinson 22 helicopter went down on the Arawhata Saddle, at the head of the Matukituki River, about 50km northwest of Wanaka, on Wednesday.

Their bodies were found in the wreckage by search and rescue crews yesterday morning.

Mr Stott, originally from Dunedin, had logged more than 2000 flying hours, while Mr Hoogvliet was working toward a commercial pilot's licence.

TAIC spokesman Peter Northcote today told NZPA two investigators would begin a physical examination of the wreckage before supervising its removal.

"Over the weekend they (the investigators) will be interviewing people connected with the event. People from the flight school, people responsible for engineering, maintenance, and also people familiar with people on board. And collecting documentary evidence that may be of use to the investigation as it continues," he said.

Friends and family yesterday paid tribute to the pilots, saying they were exceptional men who died doing what they loved.

Wanaka Helicopters owner Simon Spencer-Bower said Mr Stott was a universally admired pilot.

"(He) was extremely helpful, considerate and genuinely a little gentleman," he told The Otago Daily Times.

"We had him as our student liaison officer and he would help students with all their problems ... He was the sort of guy you would want your daughter to marry."

Mr Spencer-Bower said he, along with his wife Carolyn, had decided to suspend company operations to allow employees time to grieve.

"Stotty has been to more weddings than anyone I know ... People just want him to be around. Stotty, in his quiet gentle nature, will do anything to help a friend ... There is nothing that can fill the gap of a man like Stotty," a close friend said.

Mr Hoogvliet's father, Henk Hoogvliet, said his son had a strong sense of faith and a deep love for his family.

"He was very gifted...and our memory of him will be of a loving son and brother. We're thankful to the Lord for him," he told the newspaper.

"(He was a) caring, loving boy, who loved what he was doing. He was just so pleased to be flying."

Mr Hoogvliet obtained his private helicopter licence on March 23 and had hoped to complete his commercial licence by the end of winter.

- NZPA