Crashed helicopter 'probably a write-off'

LATEST: A light helicopter which crashed at Ardmore Airport in south Auckland today may be a write-off.

The helicopter, believed to be a near-new Schweizer 300 (also known as a Hughes 300) crashed about 10am and two people on board were slightly hurt.

The aircraft was believed to be part of a helicopter flying training school based at Ardmore.

Sources told NZPA it was unlikely to fly again.

It was thought to be owned by Helicopter Flight Training but no one from the company was available to talk about the incident.

The company has said it is New Zealand's newest helicopter training establishment, and catered for all levels of training from private to commercial licences through to instructor ratings.

It said it operated a fleet of modern Schweizer 300CBi training helicopters maintained to the highest possible standard.

The first helicopter of its new fleet arrived in November last year.

- NZPA