[iamge]Tuesday's fatal helicopter crash near Wanganui seems to have been caused by a wire strike, investigators say.
"We have got two investigators on site, and it does appear that the accident is a result of a wire strike," Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesman Mark Richards said.
Investigators had "key witnesses" they were working with to determine the cause of the crash that killed Wanganui helicopter pilot and grandfather, 56-year-old Peter Robb.
The helicopter was removed from the site yesterday afternoon and the road was reopened.
The accident happened about 9.30am on Tuesday along Koatanui Rd, Brunswick. Mr Robb was the sole occupant.
His funeral has been set for Monday.
The Hill Country Helicopters machine was being used for routine spraying of farm land.
Wanganui Fire station officer Jes Sorenson said the wreckage of the helicopter was taken away about 2pm yesterday and the removal was supervised by fire and police.
Senior Sergeant Paul Baskett confirmed the road had been reopened.
Mr Robb had been involved in flying police search and rescue teams to locations, Mr Baskett said.
"He was a really valued member of our police team," he said. "He was a really well respected man. We know that he was a good operator."
Mr Baskett said police were sorry for Mr Robb's family's loss.
Former helicopter pilot and aviation veteran Charlie Anderson said he met Mr Robb when they were opposition pilots in the mid-80s, and they had been friends ever since.
"He was probably one of the best bush pilots in New Zealand," Mr Anderson said.
"The whole industry was absolutely shattered about this whole tragedy.
"He's a classic. He's one of a kind. He's definitely old school."
Stock car racer Bob Smith, who has known Mr Robb for over 20 years, said he was a "hell of a nice guy" and described him as "generous".
"I was a bit gobsmacked about the whole thing, to be honest," he said.
Mr Smith was involved in V8 racing with Mr Robb when he first began, and he said Mr Robb "lived and breathed cars".
"He was just such a likeable guy, always smiling, always happy."
Mr Smith heard from a friend that the crash happened after Mr Robb's helicopter clipped a feed wire from an electric fence.
"I heard that it was on a property he hadn't worked on previously, the farm was a new client ... he didn't realise it was there."
Mr Richards said there was no way of knowing how long the investigation would take, and it "could take months".
