Pilot recovery ‘very moving’

Police have described the ‘‘very moving’’ retrieval of a body thought to be that of Wanaka helicopter pilot Matthew Wallis.

The body was retrieved from the Stevenson Arm area of Lake Wanaka about 10pm on Monday, two days after his helicopter crashed on a short solo flight to Mt Aspiring National Park from Wanaka Airport.

Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw, speaking at a press conference yesterday, said a body was located inside the wreckage of the helicopter, at a depth of 47 metres on the flat bottom of the lake by the Police National Dive Squad and the Navy.

Shaw praised the ‘‘can-do’’ attitude of the local community, and everyone involved in the operation. He estimated there was about 30 people on the lake on Monday night, including Wal- lis’ family, victim support and local iwi. ‘‘We’d like to thank the whole community for that.’’

Shaw said a ‘‘significant amount’’ of wreckage from the helicopter had been recovered from the lake bed. Divers continued working at night using light from a remotely operated vehicle, he said.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is investigating the cause of the crash.

Investigator Ian McClelland said the commission was focused on collecting wreckage and conducting witness interviews.

TAIC had notified the helicopter’s manufacturer, Robinson, and the National Transport Safety Board, in the United States, which had ‘‘offered their full support’’. McClelland said the commission would consider the weather at the time of the crash as part of its inquiry, and examine the wreckage, including the state it was found compared to after it had been collected.

‘‘The helicopter has hit the water from some height so it has suffered significant damage,’’ he said.

‘‘It is a tragedy and our aim is to try and give [the family] answers, and overall provide a safer aviation environment.’’

Warbirds over Wanaka Community Trust chairman John Gilks said Wallis would be ‘‘sorely missed’’ by a large number of people in the aviation industry.

‘‘Our heartfelt condolences go to Matt Wallis’s wife, Alice, their young son, Arthur, and the wider Wallis family at their loss.

‘‘The Wallis family are highly respected in the Wanaka community. Matt’s father Sir Tim Wallis founded the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow 30 years ago and all family members have been strong supporters of the event ever since.

‘‘This has been a tragic accident and Matt will be sorely missed by a large number of people in the aviation industry and the wider Wanaka community. Our thoughts at this sad time are with the Wallis family and the team at Alpine Group.’’

Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw said: ‘‘This is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for in the circumstances, and we are glad to be able to bring some degree of closure to Matthew’s family at this sad time. Police would like to thank the Wallis family, New Zealand Defence Force, LandSAR volunteers, the Wanaka community and the aviation industry for their assistance in this recovery operation.’’