Rescue crews arrived about 30 minutes after the helicopter crash near Wellington's Mākara Beach. Photo / File, Wikimedia Commons
Rescue crews arrived about 30 minutes after the helicopter crash near Wellington's Mākara Beach. Photo / File, Wikimedia Commons
A helicopter has crashed near Wellington’s Mākara Beach this morning while undertaking routine farming work, trapping the pilot and triggering an emergency response.
Maritime NZ’s Rescue Co-ordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ) led the search and rescue response to the incident.
The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the Robinson R66helicopter, was initially trapped in the wreckage but was freed and flown to Wellington Hospital for treatment.
A Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson said it’s understood the pilot sustained injuries, although no further details have been provided of their condition.
The incident was first reported at around 7.50am, when RCCNZ received an electronic location transmitter alert.
In response, the LifeFlight Wellington rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene with medical staff onboard, arriving at 8.20am to provide assistance.
The crash involved a Robinson R66 helicopter. Photo / Wikimedia Commons
The crash prompted a response from Fire and Emergency NZ and police, who aided RCCNZ in the operation.
The helicopter was engaged in “agricultural work” at the time of the crash, Maritime NZ said.
“At this stage, we have only preliminary information from emergency services and will be making further enquiries in the coming days to understand what occurred and identify what actions may be required in the interest of aviation safety,” the CAA said.
The RCCNZ is responsible for co-ordinating search and rescue operations in New Zealand’s maritime and aviation sectors.
Helicopters are frequently used in farming for seeding, spreading fertiliser and spraying crops over large areas and complex terrain.
Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
