A preliminary report on the possible causes of Haast pilot Morgan Saxton's fatal helicopter accident in November last year is not expected to be completed until at least July.
Transport Accident Investigation Commission chief inspector Tim Burfoot said yesterday the confidential preliminary report was due to be released to the owner and operator of Mr Saxton's Robinson 22, the Civil Aviation Authority and Mr Saxton's family but would not be available to the media.
No further update was available on the cause of Mr Saxton's accident.
Reports Mr Saxton was texting his friend Jonathan Wallis shortly before his accident was just one of many lines of inquiry, Mr Burfoot said.
Parts of Mr Saxton's Robinson 22, including its engine, still lie more than 74m under the surface of Lake Wanaka, near Mou Waho Island.
Mr Saxton's body and some of the aircraft were retrieved in November by police and navy divers.
Mr Saxton's friend Toby Wallis is still keen to retrieve the engine and has been investigating whether it is possible to do so in a private capacity.
He said any diving operation would be a recreational, low-key activity.
Weather permitting, he hoped it could take place next month.
Mr Wallis, who is also a helicopter pilot, said if the engine could be retrieved it would give closure to Mr Saxton's family and friends, provide more information to TAIC and help prevent another accident.
"It is something we just want to do for ourselves," he said.
Mr Burfoot confirmed a seizure-of-wreckage order imposed on the lake last year had been lifted and the commission had abandoned attempts to retrieve it.
If any more items were found, they would belong to the aircraft owner or insurer.
