25 Apr 2011

Iroquois crash report nearing completion

3:37 pm on 25 April 2011

A military investigation into a fatal Air Force helicopter crash on Anzac Day last year almost complete.

Flight Lieutenant Hayden Madsen, Flying Officer Daniel Gregory and Corporal Ben Carson died when the Iroquois helicopter crashed into a hillside at Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington, while en route to a dawn ceremony.

Sergeant Stevin Creeggan suffered serious injuries.

Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott says a Court of Inquiry is about 90% complete and is now undergoing a legal review.

The families of the airmen will be consulted on the findings after that.

It could be several weeks or even months before the report is released publicly.

Wellington RSA chaplin Rod Carey included the three men in his prayer for the fallen at the Dawn Service on Monday.

Radio New Zealand understands Flying Officer Gregory's parents were at the service in the capital.