The family of the George pilot who died when his helicopter crashed while fighting fires in the Vermaaklikheid area of the Garden Route will conduct a private investigation into the cause of the crash.
65-year-old Nico Heyns was killed when his Huey crashed about 40 kilometers from Riversdale on Tuesday.
A subsequent police statement said that "he had lost control" of the aircraft which then went down.
Family spokesperson Gerhard Meyer said top forensic investigator Dr. David Klatzow, has been approached to assist with the investigation.
He said Heyns was a very experienced helicopter pilot and that the family wanted answers.
The Civil Aviation Authority is also investigating the accident.
