An unlucky Auckland pilot had his fair share of problems today after not only making an emergency landing on a crowded beach, but then crashing into the surf when he tried to take-off again.
Hundreds of people were on the beach at the time, but the fact that nobody, including the two onboard the aircraft were injured, has the Civil Aviation Authority impressed with his piloting skills.
The drama unfolded at Martins Bay beach, near Warkworth, when engine trouble hit the single-engine microlight about 3km offshore.
A group of about 500 people had gathered on the beach for a sandcastle-making competition before the aircraft skimmed over their heads and landed further along the shore.
Martins Bay Holiday Park manager Linda Brickland ran to the pilot, Dennis Horn and co-pilot Manfred Scherbius to check on their condition.