Plane with 'problem' lands in Dunedin

A Mt Cook Airline plane carrying 53 passengers has landed safely at Dunedin airport after the crew reported a burning smell mid-flight.

Flight NZ5067, from Christchurch to Invercargill, was diverted to Dunedin because of the unidentified burning smell but landed safely about 5.40pm, Dunedin Airport Fire Service team leader Stu Casey said.

Emergency services had been on standby but were not needed.

Mr Casey said he did not know what caused the smell.

Air New Zealand spokeswoman Haley McCrystal said the plane was being inspected by engineers and passengers would be taken to Invercargill by bus tonight.

Mt Cook Airlines is a subsidiary of Air NZ.

In late 2008, a Mount Cook Airlines ATR 72-500 en route from Wellington to Christchurch, lost power in its right engine one minute after takeoff. A passenger reported seeing something hit the engine and smoke filled the cabin through the air conditioning system.

- NZPA