Pilot error is thought to be the cause of a helicopter crash near a Wanaka vineyard today, an industry insider says.
The airline industry source, who is based near Wanaka, also confirmed the aircraft involved in the crash near Luggate just before 5am was a Guimbal Cabri G2.
Police said the pilot, a man in his 60s, sustained moderate injuries; however, the New Zealand Herald's source said he had spoken to the pilot, who was likely to have a broken rib and a few bruises ''but that's about it''.
He likened the crash to that of a fender-bender on the road.
He disputed an earlier report by the Civil Aviation Authority that the cockpit filled with smoke and said he believed that it was pilot error.
The chopper was one of about 20 in the air carrying out frost-fighting procedures for one of the many wineries in the area.
The pilot was able to walk away from the crash.
"There was probably about 20 helicopters out frost-fighting last night so he was just one of them."
The helicopters are used to fly over the vineyards and orchards to prevent the temperature to get down below freezing.
"The helicopters just fly over top, which brings the warm air down and keeps the orchards above zero so it stops the fruit getting frozen."
The choppers hover at about 10m-20m, which was why the pilot was able to walk away relatively unscathed, he said.
The CAA is investigating.
Police said the man was taken to Wanaka Hospital before being transferred to Dunstan Hospital.
