Media statement
Picture: The main fuselage being airlifted out of a steep gully under the Sugarloaf. Picture supplied by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has recovered the wreckage of the Squirrel helicopter that crashed on
Tuesday during fire-fighting operations on the hills behind Christchurch.
The pilot died in the accident.
Commission investigator Steve Walker said the recovery operation this afternoon was challenging. “The wreckage was in a
steep gully under the Sugarloaf and conditions were hot and windy, making it challenging for the ground crew loading the
wreckage, and the investigators. ”
The wreckage was lifted out in five loads and placed on a truck for transport to a secure site in Christchurch from
where it will be transported to the Commission’s technical facility in Wellington for further analysis.
The Commission had planned to begin the air lift this morning but had to wait for clearance to use the road which had
been closed because of the threat from the bush fire.
Picture: The main fuselage being airlifted out of a steep gully under the Sugarloaf. Picture supplied by the Transport
Accident Investigation Commission.
Ends