Plane collides with parked aircraft at Waihī Beach airfield

There has been a report two planes have crashed at an airfield in Waihi Beach.

A plane crash at Waihī Beach this afternoon happened when an aircraft lost control taking off and crashed into a parked, unattended plane, the Civil Aviation Authority says.

Emergency services were called to the Waihī Beach airfield about 1.10pm.

At Hato Hone St John spokesman said one person was taken to Tauranga Hospital by ambulance in a moderate condition.

Fire and Emergency NZ northern shift manager Michael Anderson said the crash involved two light aircraft on the airfield.

“At the peak of the incident, four fire trucks and one support vehicle from Mayor View and Waihī fire brigades attended the scene.”

Two trucks stayed on to ensure the area was safe but the others were quickly stood down.

A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokeswoman said it was making enquiries into the crash to determine if further action was required.

“One aircraft lost control during take-off and collided with a parked, unattended aircraft. No injuries were reported.”

An observer from the Waihi Beach Airfield, who would not be named, told the Bay of Plenty Times they understood one of the planes was trying to take off when it ran into the other plane.

The planes were not going very fast and only “touched each other”.

- SunLive and Bay of Plenty Times