NZFF

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:28 am**

Military helicopter crashes

Breaking 8:22 AM Sunday Apr 25, 2010

WELLINGTON - An Air Force Iroquois helicopter has crashed at Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington, this morning.

Police said the crash happened about 6.45am.

It was not yet known how many people were on board the aircraft or exactly where the helicopter came down.

- NZPA

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article....jectid=10640771

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:35 am**

Air crash kills three
By MARK STEVENS - Stuff
Last updated 08:29 25/04/2010

LATEST: Three people are dead after an Air Force iroquois helicopter crashed into a farm north of Wellington.

Police confirmed a search for the chopper was launched shortly before 7am. It was found on a farm near Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington.

Four people were onboard. A Wellington Free Ambulance spokeswoman said three people were dead, and a fourth was taken to hospital in a serious to critical condition.

Few details were available but it's understood the chopper was one of three iroquois helicopters travelling to Wellington.

Several emergency services - including the Westpac rescue helicopter - are involved.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3620627/Helicopter-missing

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:07 am**

How awful and today of all days.
I wonder if this will prompt a political back lash with regards to the aged Air Force fleet.

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:32 am**

Very sad , and as you said cowpatz....today of all days. Re the back lash.....it normally takes something like this to stir up those in power, a blood response and thats bloody sad!

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:48 am**

As a helicopter pilot and a huge fan of the Iroquios this is like being punched in the guts. Its been said already but today of all days...

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:56 am**

,R.I.P ,just a real bummer for all involved

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:35 am**

What chopper nut said. I used to live on Herald Island, and the WhopWhopWhopWhopWhopWhopWhopWhopWhop was pretty much a constant background noise (broken only by the odd C130 or 727).

This is kind of like an old friend going down ...

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:38 am**

Very sad

cowpatz wrote:
QUOTE (cowpatz @ Apr 25 2010, 09:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
How awful and today of all days.
I wonder if this will prompt a political back lash with regards to the aged Air Force fleet.

....only if it was a malfaunction of something mechnical..otherwise its pure speculation

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:42 am**

Nah, something will be said about the age of the iroquois fleet today by someone, it's almost a given.

Remember tv and radio news want soundbytes today that they can use today about a chopper crash today. They won't wait months for an investigation.

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:49 am**

Chairman wrote:
QUOTE (Chairman @ Apr 25 2010, 11:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nah, something will be said about the age of the iroquois fleet today by someone, it's almost a given.

True, but theres not much you can say really that won't just sound trite given that we've already got replacements well on the way....

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:54 am**

Unfortunately the fourth person on board who was rescued has also now died.

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2010 2:13 pm**

FlyingKiwi wrote:
QUOTE (FlyingKiwi @ Apr 25 2010, 11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Unfortunately the fourth person on board who was rescued has also now died.

Really, where did you see that? The article on stuff (not that they're the most reliable, mind you) says

QUOTE

A fourth person was transported by ambulance to Wellington Hospital.

Wellington Hospital spokeswoman Raylene Bateman said reports that the fourth air force member had died "absolutely incorrect" and the inaccuracies were "upsetting" to the defence force and the man's family.

He is described as being in a serious but stable condition.

"I cannot say what the nature of his injures are but it is my understanding that his injuries are not life threatening," Ms Bateman said.[/quote]