Microlight has runway run-in with Cessna

A microlight pilot and passenger escaped with minor injuries when their aircraft had a run-in with a small plane in Hawera this morning.

Inspector Kristy Meates of the police central communications centre said a single-engine Cessna was attempting to take off from the Hawera Aero Club just before 11am when the incident happened.

It appeared the pilot did not see the microlight, which was coming in to land on an opposing runway.

The microlight pilot was forced to take evasive action, during which one wing clipped the ground, causing the aircraft to crash.

Both microlight pilot and passenger were taken to hospital and the passenger has minor injuries.

The pilot of the Cessna was not injured.

Police and Civil Aviation Authority inspectors were to be investigating the scene.

- NZPA