Neha Jain: http://newzealandaviationnews.blogspot.com/15

1. Katharine McPhee Joins NBC Pilot Smash

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Steven Spielberg musical drama revolves around a cross section of characters who come together to mount a Broadway musical inspired by silver screen icon Marilyn Monroe.

Playwright Theresa Rebeck wrote the pilot; Michael Mayer will direct.

Debra Messing and Jack Davenport (FlashForward) have been cast as the lyricist and choreographer, respectively.

2. Jesse L. Martin cast in musical drama pilot

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Former "Law & Order" star is the first actor cast in "Hallelujah," a musical drama pilot developed by "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry.

The ABC project is set in the town of Hallelujah, Tenn., which is being torn apart by the forces of good and evil. But the town's fortunes change when a mysterious stranger comes to town, bringing justice, peace and possibly restoring faith.

The show features a church choir that acts as a Greek choir of sorts. Martin is a veteran of Broadway -- where he starred in "Rent" and recently wrapped "The Merchant of Venice" opposite Al Pacino.

3.PNG search suspended for missing pilot
The search from a Sunshine Coast helicopter pilot feared dead, after his aircraft crashed in waters off Papua New Guinea at the weekend, has been suspended.

Pilot Lloyd Lester, 57, was en route to Manus Island from the mainland town of Madang on Sunday when his chopper crashed into the ocean, about three nautical miles from Baluan Island.

It was hoped Mr Lester had managed to swim to the nearby island, but a search for the 57-year-old Sunshine Coast father was suspended about 11.30am today.

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Mr Lester was an employee of Pacific Helicopters and was travelling alone in the helicopter.

A spokesman for Pacific Helicopters said three helicopters and two planes had searched an area 24 kilometres to the west and 70 kilometres to south of Baluan Island. The wreckage was sighted, but there was no sign of Mr Lester.

"We have been interviewing people, who are possible witnesses, from Baluan Island," he said.

"There are reportedly a few witnesses, who may have seen the aircraft go in, and they are being interviewed by Papua New Guinea's Transport Accident Investigation Commission. We have also interviewed fishermen, who witnessed the crash, and other residents.

"We have exhausted all avenues of investigation."

The spokesman said company investigators had also searched remote areas of nearby islands in the Admiralty Islands Group in case Mr Lester had managed to swim ashore.

"We hold grave fears for him," the spokesman said.
Consular assistance is being provided to the man's family, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Pacific Helicopters is the leading supplier of helicopters services in PNG and is regularly contracted by mining and engineering companies.
The spokesman said Mr Lester was due to survey Manus Island for a mining company on Sunday.

NEHA JAIN

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