Emergency services called to plane crash at Whanganui Airport

Emergency services were called to Whanganui Airport after a light plane crash. Photo / Fin Ocheduszko Brown

Emergency services were called to Whanganui Airport after an aviation student crashed their light plane.

The student was not injured in the crash, which was reported about 1.20pm today.

NZ Airline Academy director Celroy Mascarenhas said the student had been cleared to fly without an instructor and was practising take-offs and landings by himself.

“He’s always demonstrated great technique but unfortunately, in this instance, he’s misjudged what we call the landing flare.

“When you come into land, you have to pull back a little bit just before touchdown, so you land on your main wheels.

“He’s got the timing wrong. The propeller struck the ground and disabled the aeroplane on the runway.“

Mascarenhas said the student was unharmed.

“I’ve had a chat to him and suggested he take a bit of a break, then get straight back into it.

“You do get shaken up after this sort of thing but, in my experience, it’s fairly temporary.

“The idea is to make sure they have the care and support they need.”

He said the plane would be “assessed thoroughly” but initial inspections indicated it could be repaired fairly quickly.

“These sorts of events don’t usually end in injuries of any sort. It’s more the damage to the aircraft.”

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said two appliances were sent to the airport.

“On arrival, they said we can go home. We came, we saw, we left.”

Police and Hato Hone St John also attended.