Two people who died in a plane crash in Nelson last week have been formally named by police.
They were 67-year-old Nicholas Charles Taylor of Alexandra and 76-year-old Belgium national Alain Henri Copine.
The pair died after the aircraft crashed near Castor Peak on Tuesday, November 3.
Police were notified just before midday that the Cessna 172P Skyhawk, which had taken off from Nelson Airport at 9.10am, was overdue.
The plane was later found in a remote area south of Castor Peak, and two people were confirmed dead.
"Our thoughts are with the friends and family of those who died," police said.
Wānaka-based self-fly tour company FlyInn earlier confirmed "with a heavy heart" that one of its aircraft was involved in the crash.
"Our thoughts are first and foremost with those directly affected, their families, and loved ones," a message on the company's website read.
New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission confirmed it had launched an investigation into the crash on Wednesday, saying the aircraft was destroyed in the crash.
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