A light plane has crashed in the Ruahine Ranges north of Palmerston North.
Emergency services were called to the crash in the Pohangina Valley, about 28km from Palmerston North just after 1pm today, Sergeant Mark Oliver of police central communications said.
The two men on board have survived and are recovering in Palmerston North Hospital.
Police central communications Inspector Ken Climo told NZPA the men were winched out at about 4.20pm.
It is not yet known how serious their injuries are.
Rescue Coordination Centre spokeswoman Rosemary Neilson said a paramedic and crewman have been dropped off near the site.
Ms Neilson said emergency beacon signals were picked up.
Ms Neilson said the flight was part of a training course for a commercial pilot's licence and a student and instructor were on board when the plane went down.
She said it was not known if the instructor or the student were piloting the plane when it crashed.
Chris Wilson from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre told Radio New Zealand that the cause of the crash will not be known until a Civil Aviation Authority investigation tomorrow.
However, Ms Wilson said it appears the plane was brought down intentionally by the pilot.
"It seems to be a planned landing because the aircraft is intact and in the right position - belly down," she said.
Ms Wilson said the pilot did a good job landing the plane in such difficult terrain.
Fire communications spokesman Murray Dunbar earlier said he had been told the Square Trust Rescue Helicopter had pinpointed the wreckage.
"It is way up in the hills," Mr Dunbar said.
He said a fire appliance was on its way and will support any crews who need to cut their way into the bush.
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- NZ HERALD STAFF and NZPA
