10 Aug 2009

Body of NZ pilot found after collision

8:55 pm on 10 August 2009

The body of a New Zealand helicopter pilot killed in a mid-air collision in New York has been found.

Jeremy Clark, who was 32, was one of nine people who died when the helicopter he was flying and a small passenger plane collided on Saturday. Both crashed into the Hudson River.

A spokesperson for Liberty Helicopters says Mr Clarke had worked for the tour company for a year and a half and was highly respected by his colleagues.

It says Mr Clarke, who was engaged to be married, began his flying career in 2004.

The weather at the time of the collision, noon local time (1600 GMT), was clear and mild. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

Investigators say it could be a year before the cause of the crash is known, as neither aircraft was required to have a black box data recorder.

In January, a passenger plane with 155 people aboard ditched into the Hudson River without loss of life, after hitting a flock of geese.