Woman injured in microlight crash

A 45-year-old woman suffered chest injuries when a landing microlight aircraft sought to avoid a single-engine Cessna taking off at Hawera Aero Club yesterday.
The accident happened just before 11am as the Cessna was taking off and the microlight coming in on an opposing runway, a police report said. It appeared the Cessna pilot did not notice the other aircraft.
The microlight pilot sought to avoid the other plane. In the process, one of its wingtips touched the ground and it crashed.
A Taranaki ambulance spokesman said the woman passenger of the microlight suffered moderate chest injuries and was taken to Hawera Hospital along with its pilot, who was uninjured and able to walk away.
The Cessna pilot was unhurt.
Police said the accident was being investigated by both themselves and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Hawera Aero Club instructor Julian Wicky said there were about 20 people at the Hawera airfield at the time. Many were there for a meeting to socialise and fly microlight-type aircraft.
The airfield was uncontrolled, with flyers responsible for making sure the three runways were clear for landings and take-offs.
The Cessna was not a club aircraft and was being flown by a club member on a training flight.
Mr Wicky said accidents at the airfield were rare. One, about six months ago, was not related to the club and was caused by a poor decision to land a plane in a strong tail wind.
He was not willing to speculate on the cause of yesterday's accident, but said a lot of talking followed it.