Aircraft crash kills two, leaves town powerless NEW ZEALAND

- The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating an agricultural aircraft crash, which killed two men near Wairoa and knocked out power to Gisborne. The aircraft, operated by Farmers Air, hit powerlines near Tiniroto, just after 9am yesterday. About 20,000 customers in the area are without power, and it could take two days to repair the damaged lines. Police said they were working to recover the two men's bodies and were in contact with their families. The men have not yet been formally identified. Three accident investigators would fly from Wellington tonight to start combing the crash site, joining the other personnel already at the scene. The Civil Aviation Authority said its initial indications were that the aircraft hit powerlines and then crashed to the ground 2.5km further on. The aircraft was burnt out as a result of the accident. The authority said the wreckage was in inhospitable terrain, 33km northeast of Wairoa. The investigators would have to be lowered from a helicopter to reach the site. Civil Defence said six powerlines had been brought down, in an area that was difficult to access, and repairs were unlikely to start until late tomorrow. Gisborne mayor Meng Foon said the plane crash had caused significant damage to the city's electricity infrastructure. "It's broken... about four major pylons, 800m worth of powerlines." The whole city, and some rural areas, were without power, he said. Civil Defence spokesperson Sheridan Gundry said people should conserve water. "Keep flushing the toilet to a minimum, don't water the garden, and the biggest advice is to prepare and think about how you'll be cooking," she said. "We hope some people may have a gas back-up, but we have lifted the fire ban for those who need to cook in their backyards with a fire if they absolutely have to. "We obviously urge people to do this as safely as possible." She said people should keep their fridges and freezers closed as much as possible. Gisborne Hospital chief executive Jim Green said its back-up generators were running, and had the capacity to do so for five days. "We're phoning around rest homes to see what their arrangements are and the emergency plans they have in place," he said. "We're also contacting general practices to see how they're placed to provide general care for people." Civil Defence said generators were being sent to two petrol stations and some fast food restaurants to allow them to keep operating. - RNZI