The pilot of a replica vintage fighter plane has escaped with relatively minor injuries after crashlanding near the Horowhenua town of Levin.
Senior Sergeant Willie Roy says the pilot, who was heading to Paraparaumu, made a mayday call at about 2.30 on Friday afternoon.
He told emergency services the single engine had failed.
Emergency services were put on standby at Kapiti Coast Airport, but the plane crash landed on farmland in Denton Road near Levin.
Mr Wilkie says the pilot, who is thought to be in his 40s or 50s, received cuts to his face and a leg injury in the crash, but was lucky not to be more seriously injured.
He was given first aid at the scene and then flown to Wellington Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
