The chief pilot of a helicopter company long linked to aviation tragedy in New Zealand has died alongside a friend after their aircraft crashed in Mt Aspiring National Park.
According to a report by Stuff, Tim Brown and Sean Roach were killed when the Airbus AS350B3 helicopter went down during a guided hunting trip on Sunday morning.
Police said the helicopter, owned by Alpine Helicopters, crashed into a mountainside about 24km west of Makarora in Mount Aspiring National Park.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Waugh said emergency services were alerted to the crash at 9.50 am.
“The two people who died were the sole occupants of the craft at the time,” Waugh said, as quoted by Stuff.
Flight Radar data showed the helicopter departed Wanaka Airport at 7.39 am and climbed above 5500 feet before heading north. Its last recorded position at 8.11 am showed the aircraft descending to just over 3000 feet, as reported by Stuff.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) confirmed the helicopter came down in mountainous terrain inside the national park. Three other members of the hunting group were later found on the ground and taken to safety with what TAIC described as “minor injuries”.
Police said inquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
Brown was a well-known and experienced pilot from Wānaka who had previously flown for Paton Air, Roncato Helicopters and Elite Aviation Services before joining Alpine Helicopters. Roach, who attended Wakatipu High School, was a respected golfer and former captain of the Otago men’s amateur golf team.
Roach had previously survived a serious hunting accident in 2008 when he was speared by a stag near Naseby, suffering deep puncture wounds to his thigh and buttock.
On Monday, The Alpine Group said it was “devastated” by the deaths.
“The aircraft was conducting a guided hunting operation in clear and calm conditions at the time of the accident,” the company said.
“Both were highly experienced and valued members of a close-knit team. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time,” as quoted by Stuff.
The company also thanked emergency responders involved in the rescue effort.
“We would like to express our sincere thanks to the New Zealand Police, Rescue Coordination Centre, Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, the Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue team, and all emergency services for their swift, professional, and clinical response to the accident,” Stuff has quoted.
“The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are investigating the accident... We have confidence in those investigations and will cooperate fully to determine exactly what happened,” as quoted by Stuff.
A Givealittle page established for Brown’s family described his death as a “heartbreaking shock”.
“Tim was widely known and deeply respected throughout the aviation industry in both New Zealand and overseas. He had a genuine passion for aviation, particularly within the agricultural and farming sector, where he built strong friendships and made a lasting impact on so many people throughout his career.”
“In recent times, Tim had invested significantly into a new business venture, which adds another layer of uncertainty for his family as they now face both emotional and financial challenges while navigating life without him,“ the page said.
“The funds raised will go directly towards supporting Tim’s family during this incredibly difficult time, helping to ease some of the pressures and challenges that lie ahead. While nothing can take away the heartbreak of losing Tim, we hope this support will help honour his legacy and provide some comfort, stability, and peace to his beloved family,” Stuff has quoted.
The latest tragedy adds to a long history of fatal accidents linked to Alpine Helicopters, a company founded by renowned aviator Sir Tim Wallis in the early 1960s.
As reported by Stuff, Wallis, who pioneered helicopter deer recovery operations in New Zealand, survived 15 air crashes during his lifetime before his death in 2023. Two of his sons also died in helicopter crashes linked to the company in 2018.
Brown and Roach’s deaths have been referred to the coroner, while the Civil Aviation Authority and TAIC continue their investigations.