Liam Edwards (32), of Otautau, was found dead at the crash site about 1km east of Lindis Pass Rd at 12.50pm on Saturday.
The pilot, Murray Sarginson (52), is in a stable condition in hospital.
A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman today said three safety investigators spent most of the day at the crash site.
They were flown to a nearby ridge and climbed 200 metres down to the wreckage of the Robinson R22.
The helicopter collided with the terrain on its left side, where the passenger was seated, the spokesman said.
The wreckage was airlifted off the mountain and taken to Wanaka airport.
''The CAA will spend much of tomorrow examining the wreckage in close detail, looking for any clues that may have contributed to Saturday's tragic accident,'' the spokesman said
Some personal items recovered from the aircraft have been handed over to police to pass on to the men's families.
