Pilot identified following home-made helicopter crash in North Canterbury

Wednesday 9 September 2026 · 3 outlets · 2 reports · updated Wed 9 Sep, 2:02pm

In this story Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Civil Aviation Authority

Police have named 47-year-old Karl James West as the pilot who died in a helicopter crash near Eyrewell on Tuesday evening. The aircraft, which was home-made, reportedly fell to the ground in the Waimakariri District. Authorities and CAA staff are currently examining the wreckage.

How they headlined it

1:58pm

1. 1NewsWed 9 Sep, 1:58pm

   Police name pilot killed in Canterbury helicopter crash (opens in new tab)

2. The PressWed 9 Sep, 2:02pm

   Police name pilot killed in home-made helicopter crash (opens in new tab)

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