Aircraft lands safely after declaring emergency

The pilot was unable to confirm the "landing gear" was down in preparation for landing. File photo

A light aircraft carrying two people has landed safely at Ardmore Airport after declaring an emergency situation this afternoon.

The plane was circling above Ardmore for about half an hour after the pilot was unable to confirm the landing gear was down.

Emergency services - including three fire trucks and a tanker - rushed to the scene at 1.45pm and were on standby as the emergency landing took place.

Fire Service spokeswoman Dallas Ramsay said the plane landed safely at 2.12pm.

"It's landed safely. The stop message is in, we are peeling away," Ms Ramsay said.

The plane had been in a holding position, circling above the airport, as it waited for emergency services to get into place, she told NZME News Service earlier.

Fire crews were on standby next to Runway 25 at Ardmore about 2pm when the plane came in to land.

"They can't confirm the landing gear is down, so it's currently in a holding position circling above," Ms Ramsay said.

"We've responded for a precautionary reason. It does sound as though they are going to attempt to make an emergency landing."

The airport was holding a New Zealand Warbird event today - titled "Salute to Military Aviation" - from 10am until 4pm.

It is not known how many people were at the event.

Static displays as well as practice flying displays were on the agenda, with plane fans given the chance to win a flight in a Warbird with their ticket purchase.

NZ Warbirds tweeted the event was kicking off just after 10am.

"Little wet at Ardmore but the show is still on!! Warm clothes and a raincoat in case of more showers are the order of the day."