Police have recovered the body of former Olympic yachtsman Geoff Smale from the scene of a microlight crash in the Bryant Range near Nelson.
An extensive search for Mr Smale ended about 2pm on Monday when an Air Force Iroquois crew spotted the wreckage on the side of Mt Duppa, 20km north-east of Nelson.
The 86-year-old experienced pilot had been missing since leaving Auckland on Saturday morning for Ashburton.
A recovery team consisting of three police staff and an Air Force medic was winched from an Iroquois to the remote site 1000 metres up the side of the mountain.
Police say it appears Mr Smale was thrown on impact from the microlight and was found well clear of the fire-damagd aircraft.
The Rescue Coordination Centre said while the weather was generally good on Saturday, there was cloud and rain in Bryant Range at the time Mr Smale was flying over the rugged bush country.
Mr Smale had been well-equipped and was carrying a beacon which had not been activated.
The Civil Aviation Authority will investigate the crash.
