19 Jun 2010

Flight diverted over tyre scare

2:27 pm on 19 June 2010

An Eagle Air flight from Gisborne to Wellington was re-directed to Woodbourne air base at Blenheim on Saturday morning, when the pilot suspected the nose tyre of the plane was flat.

Twelve passengers were on board the 19-seater aircraft operated by the Air New Zealand subsidiary.

Air New Zealand says the pilot declared a full emergency as a precaution.

Fire, police and ambulance services were called to Wellington airport, before the Beech 1900 plane was diverted to Blenheim.

Emergency services at Woodburne met the plane, which landed without incident. The tyre was found not to be flat.