25 Mar 2009

Three rescued after plane crash on Lake Rotorua

9:02 am on 25 March 2009

Three people on a float plane have been rescued after the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on Lake Rotorua.

The Cessna 206 operated by Volcanic Air Safaris had an engine failure on takeoff about 500 metres from the Rotorua lakefront about 1pm on Tuesday.

The plane was on a scenic flight to White Island and was carrying two English tourists and the pilot.

Police say the pilot was able to land the plane, although it suffered some damage to its float structure.

Volcanic Air Safaris says the pilot and passengers were not injured and were taken ashore by jet boat. They were back at the company's office within eight minutes of the crash.

The plane has been towed back to its moorings and the Civil Aviation Authority has been notified.

Phill Barclay, from Volcanic Air Safaris, says the passengers have been offered a free flight next time they are in Rotorua and they have accepted his offer.