Pilot escapes injury after microlight crash landing

A microlight pilot escaped injury this afternoon after having to make a crash landing on Omanu beach at Mt Maunganui.

Tauranga airport manager Ray Dunble said the pilot thought he was having engine trouble so decided to bring the microlight down onto the beach about 1.15pm.

The pilot managed to land on a vacant section of the beach, so no members of the public were in danger, Mr Dunble said.

However, the microlight "got into some trouble" as it landed and flipped on the soft sand.

It received superficial damage and has now been removed from the beach, Mr Dunble said.

- NZPA