Plane lands safely after reporting landing gear problems

The four people on board the small Cherokee plane. Photo / Viv Logie

A visiting plane on a training flight landed safely at the Greymouth aerodrome about 12.15pm today after reporting problems with the landing gear.

The pilot, Masa Yagi, a flying instructor with the Canterbury Aero Club, told the Greymouth Star a warning light flashed on the control panel on the way from Nelson to Christchurch with four people on board.

The plane was diverted to Greymouth to attempt the emergency landing.

"It told me that the front landing gear wasn't engaging and I notified Air Control in Christchurch," Mr Yagi said. As emergency services lined the runway below, he undertook the landing with the warning light still on, and was thankful that all the landing gear had come down for a flawless landing.

Sergeant Brent Cook, of Greymouth police, said the plane had left Nelson this morning, travelled to Westport and was heading to Christchurch at the time.

Mr Cook said the plane would be grounded until it had a certification review to find out what went wrong.

"There was a prompt response from all emergency services and the pilot was satisfied with the professionalism of the fire, police and ambulance," he said.

Greymouth, Cobden, Runanga and Brunner fire brigades lined either side of the aerodrome for the landing.

- Greymouth Star