Plane likely ruined in sewage pond crash

Workers try to haul a light plane from a pond near the Thames airport today after it overshot the runway and crashed, injuring the pilot and passenger. Photo / Christine Cornege

A light plane that crashed into a sewage pond at Thames Aerodrome this morning is likely ruined, a local flight operator says.

The single-engine Cessna 172 crashed into the pond at the end of a runway about 10.22am, Fire Service northern communications acting shift manager Tania Matthews said.

Its two occupants managed to get out of the plane.

They were taken to Thames Hospital to be treated for "very minor injuries", a St John ambulance spokeswoman said.

Les Raine, chief flying instructor at Southern Air Services, which operates out of the aerodrome, said the plane overshot the runway and "splashed into the water ... in the shit pond at the end".

"It just looks a bit sad sitting in the water," he told NZPA.

The plane, from Ardmore Flying School in Auckland, had likely suffered water damage to its engine and avionics.

"(The) engine's full of water and gravy on it and everything, so that's probably $100,000 (of damage)," Mr Raine said.

"They'll pull it out this afternoon and the insurance company will have look at it tomorrow I guess."

Mr Raine said the wastewater treatment pond was quite shallow, about 1.2m deep.

An Ardmore Flying School spokesperson was unavailable for comment.

- NZPA