Australians have paid tribute to three RNZAF personnel who died in a helicopter crash on Anzac Day.

An Air Force crewman ran 2km through rugged uphill terrain to get to the helicopter wreck that contained the bodies of three colleagues.

Three young men who were dedicated to their country should have gone on to accomplish much more in the years to come.

The helicopter that crashed into a hill near Pukerua Bay was part of an ageing fleet that will be replaced by 2013.

Prime Minister John Key is cancelling a planned 10-day trip to the Middle East in order to attend the funerals of three Air Force personnel who died today.

Three people are confirmed dead after an Air Force Iroquois helicopter crashed north of Wellington this morning, says the Defence Minister.

Protesters say President Lech Kaczynski and his wife should not be buried in Wawel Cathedral -normally reserved for poets and kings.

Poland is confronting the worst political disaster since WWII after its president, his wife and dozens of top officials were killed in a plane crash.

Acting Prime Minister Bill English has joined the list of international leaders offering condolences to Poland.

An Eagle Air plane has made an emergency landing because of an open cargo door.

With his body strapped into a helicopter and his mate racing his Subaru rally car on the asphalt below, Stace Hopper made his flight to eternity.

High winds caught Stacey Hopper's plane as it took off, causing it to dip and clip the van that had dropped him at the airstrip, a good friend says.

Multimillion dollar property empire heir Stacey Hopper was killed instantly when the family aircraft he was piloting crashed into an occupied van.

A member of a prominent Far North family has been killed after his plane crashed in a field near Whangarei yesterday.