The two people who died in a plane crash near Nelson last Tuesday have been named.
They were 67-year-old Nicholas Charles Taylor of Alexandra, and 76-year-old Belgium national Alain Henri Copine.
The Cessna 172P Skyhawk left the city's airport on the morning of 3 November and was later found to have crashed in a remote area south of Castor Peak in the Bryant Range, in the region's north-east.
The bodies of two people were recovered from the wreckage a couple of days later with help from the Defence Force and Fire and Emergency.
Central Otago Flying Club president Kurt Verduyn said the club was deeply saddened by Taylor's death who had served as its chief flight instructor for many years.
"He was a well-respected and much-liked member of our club and the wider local flying community, and his contribution to the area will be remembered," Verduyn said.
"Our thoughts are with Nick's family, friends, colleagues and everyone who knew him at this difficult time."
Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an enquiry into the crash, and said two investigators were trying to find out what happened and why.
Self-fly vacation company FlyInn has previously confirmed the Cessna was one of its planes.
"It is with an incredibly heavy heart we wish to advise one of our aircraft was involved in an accident in an area of New Zealand's South Island," the company said, in a statement.
"Our thoughts are first and foremost with those directly affected, their families, and loved ones."
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz
