Investigation after crash landing at Napier airport

The Civil Aviation Authority will investigate the crash landing of a light plane at Napier Airport yesterday.

The plane was substantially damaged after landing on its belly when landing gear failed on approach to the airport, the CAA said.

No one aboard the aircraft was injured in the incident.

Napier police Senior Sergeant Tony Dewhirst said the Aztec six-seater, containing the pilot and one other person, notified the air control tower just after 3pm the landing gear had failed.

"They were practising landings when the malfunction occurred," he said.

"It was a controlled emergency landing without wheels."

The plane made a forced landing on its belly at 3.25pm.

Emergency vehicles including fire appliances immediately arrived on the scene, but were not required.

- NZPA