Investigators will next week interview the pilot of a helicopter which crashed near the Lindis Pass at the weekend, killing a Southland man.
Otautau man Liam Edwards (32) was found dead at the crash site, 1km east of Lindis Pass Rd, at 12.50pm on Saturday.
Pilot Murray Sarginson is in a stable condition at Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown.
Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Mike Richards said investigators yesterday completed their on-ground research at Lindis Pass and Wanaka, including examination of the wreckage and local interviews.
‘‘The engine, hydraulics, ignition and associated systems are yet to be fully checked. This may require the use of external expertise.''
Mr Sarginson would be interviewed next week, once he was home and fully recovered, he said.
The correlation of the information and deciding which line of inquiry to pursue would take time, Mr Richards said.
