Veteran pilot collapsed while flying, later died

A Blenheim man collapsed while flying his self-built aeroplane on his 78th birthday and died shortly after landing.

Leslie Glover Ginders was flying with instructor and pilot Alistair Matthews when he collapsed shortly before landing at the Omaka Aerodrome, near Blenheim, on Monday and could not be revived.

Mr Matthews told the Marlborough Express the pair had been flying the Omaka Aerodrome circuit when Mr Ginders became unwell.

He said Mr Ginders was an experienced pilot but did not currently hold a medical licence, which was why he was accompanied by an instructor.

Mr Matthews said Mr Ginders built his plane in the mid-1970s and was well known.

- NZPA