How did the helicopter fall from the sky? Question faced by the investigators of the Wanaka crash

Why should a helicopter simply fall from the sky? This is the question that confront investigators investigating the accident that occurred yesterday morning near the airport of Wanaka.

The three occupants of the Hughes 500 died in the accident, about 1500 m from the airport.

Among them was Nick Wallis, Director and General Manager of Alpine Helicopters, and the youngest son of Sir Tim and Prue Lady Wallis.

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The accident comes less than three months after the death of Wallis' brother, Matthew Wallis, in a helicopter crash.

The burned wreck is virtually unrecognizable as a helicopter.

It is located on flat land, about 100 m from the Clutha River and away from any apparent air danger.

What seems to be the tail is more than 100 m.

Yesterday afternoon, men dressed in blazing jackets were seen looking for parts of the helicopter.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed yesterday that two members of the Department of Conservation were also present and the general manager, Lou Sanson, said that he was "devastated" by the news and that he knew all the officials.

"This is a tragedy for our staff, who looks like a family and is passionate about their work," Sanson said.

"We are always trying to deal with [the] the tragedy.

"Our thoughts are with the families of Doc workers involved."

He confirmed that the helicopter was en route to exercise control over the Haast region.

"The tahr check operation was suspended while Doc was focusing on the larger Doc family."

The Minister of Ardern and Conservation, Eugénie Sage, expressed her condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of the three people killed.

"My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of all those who died in the tragic crash of today," Ardern said.

"Doc staff come to work every day on our behalf to take care of New Zealand's precious environment.

"It is an absolute tragedy that these employees and the helicopter pilot, who were doing their job, never return home.

"We will make sure we get to the bottom of things as soon as possible."

Alan McKay, who was nearby when the accident occurred, said that he had never heard anything but when he got to a point where he could see the scene of the accident, he described this as a campfire.

"There was almost nothing left."

He said that the weather was perfect and that there was no breeze.

"I would say it's just a very, very unfortunate accident.

"It's a sad day for Wanaka."

An official crash investigation was opened yesterday, and four staff members of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, including Captain Tim Burfoot's chief investigator, reportedly were in Wanaka.

The helicopter was reportedly leased to Alpine Helicopters.

In a brief statement late yesterday, a company representative stated that the helicopter was heading to the Landsborough Valley and that it had "not reached its destination".

A former Doc employee, who has often accompanied Mr. Wallis, said that it was a new Hughes 500 helicopter "super safe".

"It will be really interesting to know what happened here, I can not believe it was a steering error, because Nick was very experienced and a very talented driver."

He added that Wallis was running a well-organized operation and was using a new machine specifically designed to ensure extreme safety.

The ODT understands that police officers met with Sir Tim to inform him of the tragedy of the afternoon of yesterday.

Sir Tim, who is in poor health, has been hospitalized for a month.

Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust President John Gilks ​​paid tribute to Nick Wallis yesterday, saying the tragedy would have a huge impact on the Wanaka community.

"It's almost unbelievable.

"The community will be devastated."

Gilks, who knew Wallis well, said the pilot was an "adorable guy, a wonderful guy".

"He was a man and yet a real gentleman."

"The person for whom I am deeply sorry is Nick's wife … and their children."

The former New Zealand Deerstalkers Association president, Bill O 'Leary, expressed deep regret over the "tragic loss of life".

"All our members, and even hunters from around the world, will join them in expressing their deepest sympathies to the families of the lost."