Five New Zealander's given no hope of surviving plane crash

5 new Zealander's went over to Germany to get there Air New Zealand Plane that they Leased to German Company XL Airlines .

The plane was on a test flight as part of maintenance being done before being returned to Air NZ after a two-year lease to
German company XL Airways.

The Airbus A320, being flown by two German pilots and carrying five New Zealanders, plunged into the sea off the southern
French coast as it approached Perpignan airport on Thursday (Friday morning NZT).
Two bodies were found shortly after the crash, but the five others are still missing.

Four of the five New Zealanders on board were Captain Brian Horrell, 52-years-old from Auckland engineers Murray White
37-years-old from Auckland, Michael Gyles 49-years-old from Christchurch, and Noel Marsh, 35-years-old, from Christchurch.

The aircraft was four years old and when delivered had flown for Freedom Air for about a year before being leased to XL Airways.
The Plane was due back in New Zealand this week.

The pilot was a very experienced captain "which is typically what we want when we are going through one of these acceptance processes.
We have our most experienced people ensuring the aircraft is up to Air New Zealand standards.

Mr Fyfe said the Prime Minister has sent his condolences to Air New Zealand and offered the full support of the New Zealand government over the next few days.

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