The site of the crash in the Lochy River basin in the Eyre Mountains, southwest of Queenstown. Photo: NZ PoliceA coronial inquest into the deaths of two pilots in a Robinson R44 crash near Queenstown in 2015 began in the resort today. Mr Patterson Gardner was the son of Over the Top chief executive Louisa (Choppy) Patterson. In his opening submissions, counsel for Ms Patterson, Garth Gallaway, said the crash was "entirely avoidable" and due to the vulnerability of the R44 to mast-bumping events. Had the two men not been flying a Robinson R44, "they would still be here today", Mr Gallaway said.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 14, 2021 04:07 UTC