Rotorua's rescue helicopter service is due to be back up and running today with a replacement machine while an investigation and insurance assessment is carried out on the crashed aircraft.
The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter landed heavily while approaching Taupo Hospital on Saturday. The pilot and crewman were able to walk away from the badly damaged helicopter.
Philips Search and Rescue Trust secretary David Wickham said the trust had started its own investigation into the cause of the crash. The trust oversees five rescue helicopter bases. The damaged helicopter is at the Taupo hangar for assessment from insurers as well as crash investigators.
He said the $120,000 recently donated to the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter by the Rotorua Trust would not be dipped into for this incident and would remain for operational budgets.
"We pay for insurance," Mr Wickham said.