Photo:NZ HeraldFormer NZ Fire Service national commander Mike Hall was the pilot of a light plane that crashed in the Tararua Ranges, killing both occupants. The light plane was reported missing after departing from Foxton's Foxpine Airfield on Sunday before being found on Monday with the bodies of two people inside. The Herald has learned the pilot was Hall, the former boss of the NZ Fire Service, which has since been re-named Fire and Emergency NZ. He was the owner of a plane but it's understood he was not flying it at the time of the crash. It's understood the light weight of the plane could quickly alter its flying capability if weather conditions suddenly changed.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 01, 2019 00:11 UTC