Pilot feared dead in NZ crash A NEW Zealand helicopter pilot is believed dead after the wreckage was found near the Milford Track in South Westland. The Hughes 500 helicopter was found on Sunday after the pilot, the sole occupant, failed to land at Dumpling Hut, the Rescue Coordination Centre says. "The company he worked for became concerned and sent up a helicopter to have a look for him," a Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand spokeswoman told AAP. When they couldn't locate him they enlisted the help of another helicopter company who sent up two helicopters. The searching helicopter found the wreckage and lowered a crewman to the ground but he was unable to find the pilot. "The information from the searcher is that they do not believe the impact was survivable," said search and rescue mission coordinator Keith Allen. The missing pilot was experienced and familiar with the area.