Injured helicopter pilot drowned after crash

Mayberry had flown his Robinson R22 helicopter, ZK-IXR, to Mistake River at 9am to meet his son-inlaw, Neville Sarginson, and another hunter, Donald McLeod, known as Sam.

Mayberry planned to take his son-in-law to the head of the valley, but the pair crashed while attempting to land about 9.38am.

McLeod drove to a nearby homestead to raise the alarm when Mayberry failed to pick him up.

Rescuers found the crashed helicopter about mid-afternoon.

Mayberry had died at the scene and was found buckled into the pilot’s seat of the helicopter, with his upper body submerged in the mountain river.

Sarginson was found lying half in the water, with his upper body on a rock beside the helicopter. He had suffered severe injuries and was in and out of consciousness.

An autopsy carried out by forensic pathologist Martin Sage found that Mayberry’s death was caused by severe impact injuries to his head and chest.

A Civil Aviation Authority investigation found Mayberry lost control while trying to reposition the helicopter for landing. Part of the landing gear skid was caught on a cliff ledge.

McElrea said flying conditions were ‘‘challenging but within the capabilities of the pilot’’. The helicopter had been at the limit of its maximum permitted weight.

Mayberry was a well-known businessman in Christchurch and established the Shooters Supplies store in 1982.