A light aircraft has landed successfully at Whanganui Airport after a wheel fell off.
The plane was flown by New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA) instructor Lexi Trotter, with a student also on board.
A statement from the academy said an unforeseen mechanical failure led to the “departure of the nose wheel from the airframe” shortly after take-off on Friday.
After three hours in the air, Trotter “executed a flawless emergency landing” around 3.30pm, with the student pilot shutting down the engine - preserving the propeller and engine from potential damage and fire hazards.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was promptly informed of the incident and authorisation was granted to move the aircraft from the runway.