The helicopter was believed to be flying from Milton to Alexandra.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has launched an inquiry into a fatal helicopter crash in Otago this morning. A spokesperson said it was a Eurocopter “Squirrel” AS350 helicopter. Harald Hendel, the Chief Investigator of Accidents, said the circumstances reported were that the chopper impacted terrain in the Lammerlaw Range, above the Waipori River, about 10km North of Lawrence about 6.20am. One person died in the crash, the pilot who was the only person onboard. TAIC is appealing for any witnesses of the crash, he said. “We are keen to hear from people who saw the accident or who saw or heard the helicopter on this early morning flight between Milton and the Lammerlaw Range – particularly if you have photographed or captured the flight on video.” The commission has appointed an investigation team of three, who anticipate getting to the accident site tomorrow morning.
