An aircraft landed safely at Gisborne Airport this afternoon after losing its way and running short of fuel on a flight from American Samoa to Palmerston North.
The British-registered Convair 580 aircraft, with two pilots and an engineer on board landed at 5.05pm, after fears they would not have enough fuel
to reach New Zealand.
The twin engine aircraft which can be used to carry cargo or passengers, left American Samoa at 8.40am NZT, National Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman Paul Harrison told NZPA.
A full scale emergency alert was launched after the centre was contacted at 2.40pm and told the crew weren't sure of their position and whether they had enough fuel to get to New Zealand.
The plane was diverted to Gisborne - the nearest airport able to take a plane that size.
Mr Harrison said radio contact with the aircraft was lost for a time and the pilot set off a distress beacon to help pinpoint its position.
"An American military aircraft on its way to New Zealand was diverted and was able to come over the top of the aircraft and keep sight of it."
The Convair was then given a course to Gisborne.
"A twin-engined aeroplane was dispatched from Taupo out to meet the aircraft and escort it in, just in case it fell short of fuel just before the shore, but fortunately it didn't," Mr Harrison said.
An Orion military aircraft and rescue helicopter were put on standby in Auckland in case the plane "fell into the water".
Mr Harrison said that there may not need to be an investigation.
"The plane didn't crash or have any problems. The crew just may have gone off track and chewed up more fuel than they thought."
- NZPA
