Wanaka plane crash: 'Such a terrible tragedy'

The Macdonald family, (from left) Kate, Georgie, William (not on aircraft), Paul and Ben. Photo / supplied

Tributes are flowing in today for two of New Zealand's most experienced Cessna pilots who died in a horror crash that also claimed the lives of their two children.

Aircraft engineer Paul Clifford William Macdonald, 50, his wife and flight instructor Kate Macdonald, 43, and their two young children, Georgie, 7, and Ben, 5, died when their light aircraft crashed near Wanaka yesterday.

Their bodies were recovered last night.

Georgie and Ben's brother William was being cared for by family.

Two senior Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety investigators are at the scene today.

Hugh Robinson, who bought Canterbury Aviation from Paul Macdonald -- a company he set up 20 years ago -- has been left devastated by the news.

"It is such a terrible tragedy, affecting so many people. There were just hellishly nice people," he said.

"They were really loving people who had a beautiful family environment, and were in a good space and having a good time in life."

Kate Macdonald was a highly-qualified Cessna instructor and had been running her own flying school.

Paul Macdonald, while being one of the country's most preeminent Cessna experts, was also a major figure in jet boating circles.

The family had been in Wanaka for the A&P Show at the weekend.

A Cessna enthusiasts Facebook page has remembered the pair today.

"RIP Paul, Kate and family. I've lost a couple of great pilot friends," said Jeff Walton.

Nick Wyngaarden said their deaths were a "huge blow" to the aviation community in New Zealand.

"Lost two of the best and there (sic) beautiful kids. Dark day."

Another poster, David Murray, was stunned that his mentor Mr Macdonald had died.

"A great aviation family taken. Paul was my mentor. They were on their way into see my brother. RIP xxxx."

The wreckage of a Cessna lies on a hillside near Wanaka.

Today, Cotswold School where the children attended is open, but has brought in the Ministry of Education's traumatic incident team to co-ordinate appropriate support for students, parents and staff.

"The Macdonald family are well known to many in our community and will be dearly missed," said principal Stephen Harrison.

"Naturally our staff, students, parents and members of the wider school community are deeply shocked.

"Our love and thoughts are with the family and friends of Paul, Kate, Georgie and Ben."

Emergency services were alerted to the downed aircraft after the wreckage was spotted by a helicopter pilot near the north branch of the Motatapu River at 12.40pm.

There was low cloud in the area yesterday.

The Macdonalds were on a private family flight.

They left Wanaka Airport about 11am yesterday in their own Cessna 185 fixed-wing aircraft, bound for the Skippers area.

Police today said the crash site was at an altitude of 1200m in the north branch of the Motatapu River, about 15 minutes' flight time from Wanaka.

Rescue teams -- including police and the Wanaka land search and rescue team -- were sent to the scene where the wreck was lying precariously on a rocky bluff.

After the wreckage was secured, the bodies of the four occupants were removed and taken to Wanaka for identification.

Inspector Olaf Jensen, Otago Lakes-Central area commander, said their deaths have now been referred to the coroner.

"The family's death is an absolute tragedy and police extend their deepest sympathy to the wider family," Mr Jensen said.

According to registration details, the plane was based in Christchurch, having been bought by Mr and Mrs Macdonald in 2009.

The Cessna 185 fixed-wing aircraft has had a variety of owners from around the world.

Before it was bought by the Christchurch couple, it had received several upgrades -- including a new engine, prop and modified wingtips.

It had also had owners in Auckland and Wairarapa. Reports show it was used by pilots working for agricultural companies in Australia in the 1960s.

The Macdonalds were both experienced pilots.

In 2006, Mr Macdonald, Upper South Island field consultant for CP Lime Solutions, commented on a CAA investigation report into a Cessna crash which claimed the life of Christchurch businessman Russell Smith and his wife Marian D'Eve the previous year.

The authority found Mr Smith, the pilot at the time, had disregarded basic aviation rules.

"If you're a private pilot and you want to go from point A to point B on a certain day and then you set off regardless of the weather, then you've got to learn you just can't do that," Mr Macdonald told TVNZ.