Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Pilot dies, car hit in Northland plane crash

Updated at 10:36 pm on 12 March 2010

A light plane crashed into a car soon after take off, killing the pilot and slightly injuring three people in the vehicle, in Northland on Friday.

The aircraft had just taken off from a paddock at Marsden Cove Marina, at Ruakaka south of Whangarei.

It burst into flames when it crashed back into the paddock, hitting the car, at 3.55pm.

Emergency services could not save the pilot.

The Ambulance Service says three people in the car sustained moderate injuries but were not taken to hospital.

A worker at the marina says the plane was taking off in strong winds.

Police say they will release the name of the pilot on Saturday after the next of kin have had time to tell other family members what has happened.

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