Orion lands safely after engine failure

A Chilean P3 Orion has landed safely after suffering an engine failure on its approach to Blenheim Airport this afternoon.

The military plane with 11 people on board reported the failure to the airport at around 1.30pm.

Local fire and ambulance personnel were placed on stand-by ahead of its safe landing around 1.40pm.

Blenheim Airport manager Angela Adye said the plane was designed to stay flying with an engine down.

It was on its way to the airport to receive maintenance from Air New Zealand subsidiary Safe Air, she said.

An airport spokesman said several flights were delayed for "about five minutes" because of the emergency.

- NZHERALD STAFF