The pilot of topdressing aircraft is in Gisborne Hospital following a crash on a farm airstrip near Te Araroa on the East Cape.
Crash investigators are conducting an inquiry into the crash, which occurred at about 1pm on Thursday.
St John ambulance staff described the pilot as suffering minor burn injuries and was extremely lucky not to have been more seriously injured.
He was flown to Gisborne Hospital by rescue helicopter.
Police are guarding the crash scene overnight.
