$3m Spitfire overshoots landing strip

The Spitfire's accident yesterday morning at Ardmore Airport is the latest in a string of mishaps for the World War II-era fighter. Photo / Paul Estcourt

A landing accident involving a rare two-seater Spitfire fighter is the latest in a line of mishaps for the World War II-era aircraft.

The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating how the plane overshot the runway at Ardmore Airport in South Auckland yesterday about 11.50am, damaging its underbelly.

Pilot Doug Brooker walked away unscathed, surviving his second crash in the $3 million Spitfire in less than a year.

It is understood the plane bounced as it came into land, damaging its propeller and undercarriage and skidding for about 50m on the tarmac.

The Spitfire does not have a good track record. In January, it crashed at Masterton Aerodrome in the Wairarapa, days before it was due to fly in the Wings Over Wairarapa show.

In February last year, it was impounded by United States Customs for a fortnight; apparently it was still considered a deadly military machine.

Mr Brooker declined to talk last night about the latest incident.