Lake Hāwea plane crash: One person killed, another critically hurt

The base of the Dingleburn Track.

• One person has died following a plane crash near Lake Hāwea. Another is in a critical condition.
• The injured person was taken to Dunedin Hospital after being cut out of the wreckage at the crash site.
• Police are investigating on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority and the coroner.

The person who died in a plane crash near Lake Hāwea was taking part in a club event along with dozens of other aviators.

Police confirmed one person had died this morning.

One person was found at the crash site in a critical condition and the other was found dead, a police spokesman said.

A scene guard remained at the crash site overnight.

The pair were taking part in an event for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association (AOPA), the annual Autumn Fly-In.

AOPA president Sue Kronfeld said: “The association and its members are shocked and deeply upset.”

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the loved ones of those who were on board,” she said.

Kronfeld would not speculate on the circumstances of the crash. She said the AOPA would help police investigators.

The injured person was transported to Dunedin Hospital following the crash in the Dingle Burn Valley, located on the eastern side of Lake Hāwea, north of Wānaka, according to the Maritime NZ Rescue Co-ordination Centre.

Police will be making inquiries on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority and the coroner.

The RCCNZ was notified that the plane was in trouble about 1pm on Saturday after receiving an alert from the aircraft’s emergency location transmitter.

Because of the state of the plane following the crash, rescue crews were assisted by Fire and Emergency NZ staff, who brought cutting equipment to the scene.

The person was removed from the plane about 3.45pm and was taken to Dunedin Hospital.