Body found in search for helicopter pilot
The body of a missing pilot has been found after a helicopter ditched into the ocean 35 kilometres off Port Hedland on Wednesday night.
WA Police divers found the 44-year-old's body inside the wreck on Saturday after a sonar detected the chopper on the seabed.
The discovery of Brett Gallard's body brings an extensive three-day search to an end.
Seven aircraft, including AMSA’s Perth Challenger jet, and seven vessels including four tug boats were involved in the air and sea search on Thursday and Friday covering more than a thousand square kilometres. However there was no sign of the missing Mr Gallard.
Around 12.30pm on Saturday, sonar equipment on a survey vessel detected the twin engine Eurocopter before police divers went down and discovered Mr Gallard's body inside the wreck.
The helicopter was on its way to pick up a marine pilot from a bulk carrier just before midnight on Wednesday when it hit the water.
A second pilot on board set off a distress beacon and was rescued from a life raft. The 64-year-old only suffered minor injuries.
Authorities revealed the chopper flipped immediately and sank about half an hour after it ditched in water about 20 metres deep.
It was operated by Aviator Group's offshoot Mackay Helicopters.
In a statement this afternoon, Chief Executive Ian Vanderbeek thanked the efforts of rescue teams involved.
"I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those who were involved in the very extensive search to locate the pilot. We are very grateful for all they have done."
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the cause of the crash.
