'Incredibly heavy heart': FlyInn confirms plane involved in crash near Nelson

Police are still working to recover two bodies from the wreckage of a plane crash near Nelson.

The Cessna 172P Skyhawk left the city's airport at 9.10am on Tuesday and was later found to have crashed in a remote area south of Castor Peak in the Bryant Range in the region's north-east.

Police are working with the Civil Aviation Authority to recover the bodies and examine the crash scene. The plane, with the registration ZK-BFQ, was destroyed.

Self-fly vacation company FlyInn has confirmed the Cessna was one of its planes.

"It is with an incredibly heavy heart we wish to advise one of our aircraft was involved in an accident in an area of New Zealand's South Island.

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with those directly affected, their families, and loved ones."

Transport Accident Investigation Commission chief investigator of accidents Louise Cook said an enquiry had been opened into the crash and two investigators had been appointed to find out what happened and why, in order to identify any safety improvements.

She said the investigators' first priority was evidence that could disappear or change, including the condition of the wreckage, electronic records and people's recollections.

Further evidence-gathering included interviewing witnesses and obtaining flight-tracking data, cockpit recordings and radio communications. Investigators also gather information about the weather, plane's maintenance history, the pilot and planned flight.

Cook said access to the site and the time needed there would depend on terrain, weather and safety conditions.