The $350,000 aircraft was discovered on the airfield at Taree earlier this week.

It had been reported stolen from Bankstown Airport last weekend.

A forensic officer – who said he had never before worked on a helicopter – was yesterday searching for fingerprints and examining the controls for a DNA profile.

Taree police are involved in the investigation of the unusual crime.

Air officials have been stunned by the theft, given that the aircraft must have been taken by an accomplished pilot due to the special needs required to fly such a machine.

Those who discovered the aircraft were amazed to find that not only had it been shut down correctly but safety procedures, including the securing of the rotors, had been followed.