Yup, they found the Hughes at the head of the Humboldt falls, which according to Google Earth is on a direct 227 radial with Milford - the last heading the pilot reported to be on.
http://www.findlostaircraft.co.nz/zk-hnw.html , makes for very interesting reading. Here's the stuff article;
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7987113/He...es-emotions-raw .
Finally I guess, closure for the families, yet still unpleasant and for it be dredged up again 9 years later it must be hard.
Joe.
Oops, just saw your post nzav8tor, it was an effort and a half to keep it airborne I'm sure, but if anything you're right, clouds and high terrain are just not to be messed with at all.