Airlift planned for crashed Squirrel

Media statement

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is hoping to recover the Squirrel helicopter tomorrow (Thursday) which crashed during fire-fighting operations on the hills above Christchurch.

The pilot died in the accident.

Investigator in charge Ian McClelland said he and two other Commission investigators had been at the crash site for much of today; surveying the wreckage, taking notes and recovering some items.

The team was now off-site but would return first thing tomorrow morning to prepare the wreckage for airlifting to a secure area for further analysis.

Mr McClelland said much would depend on weather conditions and the fire. The fire had burned to within one and a half to two kilometres of the crash site today.

“There is no immediate danger to the crash site, however,” he said.

If the process went smoothly tomorrow, then the airlift could happen between 11am and noon. Mr McClelland said there was restricted access to the area because of the fire.

Ends

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