Pilot injured in small plane crash

A pilot has been taken to hospital after the small plane he was flying crashed north of Gisborne today.

The top dressing plane crashed about 1pm on Whakaangiangi Rd, in Te Araroa, 42km north of Ruatoria, Sergeant David Walker of Gisborne police said.

The pilot was believed to have superficial injuries, but was taken to hospital as a precaution, he told NZPA.

No one else was in the plane.

Fire, police, ambulance and a rescue helicopter all attended the crash.

The road was expected to be closed until about 3.30pm while debris from the plane was cleared, Mr Walker said.

It was too early to say how the crash happened, he said.

The Civil Aviation Authority has been notified.

- NZPA