KEY POINTS:
A 59-year-old pilot is in Palmerston North Hospital with leg and chest injuries after a small plane crash near Pahiatua.
The plane, believed to be a topdresser, crashed about 5.10pm yesterday when it was coming in to land, Pahiatua police said.
The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was freed from the wreckage and able to speak with police shortly after the crash.
He was flown to hospital by helicopter.
The aircraft was extensively damaged in the crash.
On Saturday in Southland a glider flipped and its pilot was trapped for about 30 minutes as emergency services cut him free from the wreckage.
A microlight pilot also suffered a broken leg after crashing in Gisborne yesterday.
The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating all three incidents.
- NZPA
