Light aircraft makes forced landing at Whanganui Airport

The occupants of the plane "might be a little shaken" but there were no injuries. Photo / Bevan Conley

A light aircraft has landed successfully at Whanganui Airport after a wheel fell off.

The plane was flown by New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA) instructor Lexi Trotter, with a student also on board.

A statement from the academy said an unforeseen mechanical failure led to the “departure of the nose wheel from the airframe” shortly after take-off on Friday.

After three hours in the air, Trotter “executed a flawless emergency landing” around 3.30pm, with the student pilot shutting down the engine - preserving the propeller and engine from potential damage and fire hazards.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was promptly informed of the incident and authorisation was granted to move the aircraft from the runway.

Academy chief executive Gerard Glanville said he expressed sincere gratitude to the Whanganui Airport Authority, emergency services and the NZICPA staff for their precise and co-ordinated response during the emergency.

Photo / Bevan Conley

Fire and Emergency Whanganui senior fire station officer Shane Dudley said the two people on board “might be a little shaken” but they were unhurt.

“We responded alongside police and ambulance,” he said.

Three appliances and a tanker from the Whanganui fire station were at the scene.

Dudley said a volunteer crew and pump rescue tender from Marton and an appliance and crew from Palmerston North covered Whanganui while its officers were at the airport.

“Whenever we have an incident like this we cover our city.

“We had a little bit of time [to wait] because the plane had to burn off some gas before it could land.”

A Hato Hone St John spokesman said they were notified at 1.54pm and had an ambulance, two rapid response vehicles and a manager on standby but they were not required.