Final moments of missing polit Edwin Kraft revealed

A camera found washed up on the NSW north coast is proving “invaluable” to investigators working to understand the final moments of pilot Edwin Kraft.

Authorities investigating the fatal helicopter crash which killed Edwin Kraft and his pet dog, Roxy, say a camera found washed up on a nearby beach is proving “invaluable”.

The helicopter pilot was travelling to Wallis Island, on the NSW north coast, when his aircraft vanished about 9.20am on October 26 last year.

The incident prompted an extensive search which located parts of the wreckage of his helicopter a few days later near Hawks Nest.

Mr Kraft’s remains were never found.

Mr Kraft was an experienced pilot with a total flying time of 1,119 hours under his belt. Picture: Facebook

On Tuesday, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ASTB) released a preliminary report into the accident, finding the helicopter experienced an “in-flight break-up” before impacting the waters of Providence Bay.

ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said analysis of recovered instruments revealed Mr Kraft’s aircraft experienced a series of initially minor changes in roll, pitch and yaw as it passed over the south shoreline of Yacaaba Headland.

The report found the helicopters nose pitched down and rolled to the right becoming “completely inverted”, with the main rotor likely striking the cabin.

It notes Mr Kraft was fatally injured in the crash.

Mr Kraft with his daughter Ashleigh and the Robinson R-66 helicopter. Picture: Instagram

Mr Mitchell said the helicopter’s on-board camera had proven “invaluable” to the investigation after it was found on a beach near the accident site by a member of the public.

The device was found to have recorded in-cabin vision and audio, alongside GPS position, acceleration, and rotational speed.

After the accident, Mr Kraft’s daughter, Ashleigh, said the news had left her “extremely broken and numb”.

She described her dad as “the most selfless man I know”.

“I wish I had one more chance to say goodbye, life takes away the ones who are the most deserving to be here,” she said.

The entire windshield and forward cabin roof section, as well as the main rotor head were not located. Picture: Supplied/ Australian Transport Safety Bureau

A final report into the incident will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.

“Investigators are also closely examining the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, particularly in the immediate vicinity of Mount Yacaaba,” Mr Mitchell said.

Originally published as Final moments of missing polit Edwin Kraft revealed