Helicopter Pilot Dies In Crash

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31590, 30 January 1968, Page 1

Helicopter Pilot Dies In Crash

(New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE, January 29. An American helicopter pilot was killed this morning when his machine crashed and burned out in the Waiapu River, about five miles north of Ruatoria.

He was Frank Mettner, aged 42, a married man with six children. He lived in Gisborne. Mr Mettner was spraying maize on a property north of Ruatoria and had just left his base to make a spraying run. Each run was taking him about 10 minutes and when he failed to return on schedule others employed on the spraying task set out to look for him. They found his body in the burned-out helicopter more than an hour later about 10 a.m. Mr Mettner, who had been working in the Gisborne area for several years, had recently begun operations with his own company and had purchased new helicopters. He was a widely-experien-ced pilot, having flown helicopters for the United States Army in Germany and America before coming to New Zealand. He had done a great deal of search-and-rescue work in the Gisborne area and was held in high regard for his competence. Wing Commander D. J.

O’Brien, of the Civil AviaWon Department will fly to Ruatoria tomorrow to investigate the cause of the accident.