The crash wreckage of the Robinson R44 seen through the trees in the Lochy Valley area southwest of Queenstown. Photo / NZ Police
A scene examination at the site of a helicopter crash near Queenstown, which killed two men and led to the country's largest aircraft grounding, will wrap up tomorrow.
James Louis Patterson Gardner, 18, of Queenstown, and Stephen Anthony Nicholson Combe, 42, of Wanaka, were found dead at the wreckage of
the Robinson R44 they had been flying in remote bush in the Lochy Valley area, in the Eyre Mountains southwest of Queenstown, around 90 minutes after the chopper was reported overdue on Thursday.
Both men worked for Queenstown helicopter company Over the Top. Mr Patterson Gardner was the son of owner Louisa 'Choppy' Patterson, who has operated the adventure tourism company for 29 years.
Transport Accident Investigation Commission investigators expect to complete their examination of the crash scene today, a spokesman said.
"In addition to examining and retrieving the wreckage from the accident site the two investigators will have gathered documentary evidence and completed nine interviews of company representatives and other witnesses," he said.
