Rotorua pilot killed in crash named

The cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo / File

A pilot who was killed when his plane crashed near Rotorua at the weekend has been named by police.

Twenty-six-year-old Samuel Kershaw, known as Sam, was the sole occupant of the top-dressing plane that crashed in Waikite Valley at about 1.20pm on Saturday.

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesman Mike Richards said Kershaw had just finished a flying lesson when he took off on his own.

Mr Kershaw's family has requested privacy while they deal with the death.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

- nzherald.co.nz