By Dan Parker
The wreckage of the Iroquois helicopter which crashed on Anzac Day has been removed from the hillside north of Wellington.
Air Force investigators have taken it back to Ohakea Air Base to examine it in more detail.
Piece by piece the wrecked Iroquois was lifted from the steep hillside above Pukerua Bay.
The parts were flown to a nearby paddock where members of 3 Squadron were waiting, including one of the mechanics responsible for maintaining the helicopter that crashed.
"It's a bit of a shame, it's a bit of a sad time for the squadron," says Corporal Alex Campbell.
The engine, rotor and a large section of the fuselage were the only recognisable parts. Everything else, including the cockpit, is in little pieces packed in large bags.
The wreckage of the Iroquois is being salvaged from the hillside in eight loads by the another helicopter. The wreckage will then transported to Ohakea by trucks.
"The crash site is very steep terrain, and very difficult to do any meaningful work," says Squadron leader Graham Streatfield, "so once we get it back to Ohakea we'll be able to examine it to our hearts' content."
The farmer whose land the Air Force has been occupying says he's sad in some ways to see the Air Force leave.
"The boys have actually been keeping my rabbit population right down out there spotlighting," says Hamish Smith. "They have even chopped me some firewood, so it's been great."
But before they leave on Friday, a final search of the crash site will check for any remaining debris, and then the focus of the inquiry will shift to the wreckage now in a hangar at Ohakea.
3 News