A light plane crash landed into the vines at a Kumeu vineyard today, just minutes after six members of a parachuting club safely exited the aircraft.
Waitakere chief fire officer Peter Wilding said the plane had left Whenuapai air base, northwest of Auckland, with six parachutists and a
pilot on board.
The fire service received a 111 call at 11.24am from a member of the public who had seen smoke coming out of the flying aircraft.
Mr Wilding said the six parachutists jumped from the plane once they realised it was in trouble.
"The pilot stayed with the aircraft and landed it," he said.
The pilot had received no serious injuries, but had been taken away by ambulance for observation, Mr Wilding said.
All the parachutists had landed safely and been accounted for.
The plane had caused some damage to vines and poles.
"But it's only a small amount of damage, when you consider a plane has crashed here, it's quite amazing.
"It's a very fortunate accident really," Mr Wilding said.
The plane was carrying 140 litres of aviation fuel on board, and the fire service had treated it with foam to suppress any fire risk, he said.
Police were in attendance, and the Civil Aviation Authority would also conduct an investigation.
Police said the plane flipped when it landed, about 10 minutes after it set off.
- NZPA
