Two dead after plane crash near Ashburton

A light aircraft carrying two people has crashed north of Ashburton and police have confirmed both people on the aircraft died.

Senior Sergeant Tony Ellis of Christchurch police said details of the cause of the crash were unclear.

"It was seen to just nose into the ground and it caught fire.

"It just seemed to dive straight down, according to one of the witnesses," Mr Ellis said.

Witnesses said the Ashburton-based Tiger Moth missed a house by 50 metres as it came down.

No names were released but police spoke to the father of one of the victims within an hour of the crash.

Volunteer firefighters from Rakaia, north of Ashburton attended the crash.

Mr Ellis said details of the two deceased would not be released until next of kin had been told.

- NZPA