Aircraft completes safe Whenuapai landing after emergency call-out

Whenuapai air base.

Emergency services responded to an incident at Air Force Base Whenuapai this evening.

It is understood a Hercules​ transport aircraft was in trouble over the RNZAF base.

The aircraft has landed safely.

The Fire Service's communications team said in a tweet ​the Air Force had asked them to refrain from making comment to media.

A Defence Force spokesman said a C130 Hercules was en route from Whenuapai to Woodbourne when the crew received a warning indicator on the antiskid braking system.

He said the crew returned to Whenuapai where the aircraft landed without incident.

"A local standby was called purely as a precaution and has now been stood down."

Earlier, Defence Force personnel at the base said the aircraft was on a flight from RNZAF Base Woodbourne, near Blenheim, and had suffered a "minor technical malfunction".

The aircraft was going through its precautionary landing procedure in such a situation.

Last October a RNZAF Boeing 757 carrying the Prime Minister and a trade mission to India had a malfunction at Whenuapai.

Last June a C-130 Hercules landed safely at Auckland's Whenuapai Airport after declaring a full emergency mid-flight.