KEY POINTS:
A Nelson pilot who dragged himself from the burning wreckage of a topdressing plane that crashed on a remote Golden Bay farm yesterday was lucky to survive, say rescuers and witnesses.
Rowley Aviation Nelson pilot James Ormond, 34, was flown to Nelson Hospital in the Summit Rescue Helicopter after his Fletcher plane crashed about 10.30am, just after take-off near Kaihoka Lakes.
Mr Ormond suffered flash burns, a fractured leg and facial injuries, and was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The Nelson Mail reported today that parts of the burnt-out aircraft were scattered and strewn over the farm fields.
Peter Miller saw the pilot try to dump his load of lime shortly before the crash and said Mr Ormond was "lucky to survive".
"I noticed the plane was not climbing as fast as it normally did.
"The pilot started to jettison his load but the plane dipped to the ground and went through a couple of fences, which tore the plane to bits."
Mr Miller said he dashed to the burning aircraft and dragged the pilot further away while the pilot's loader-driver called emergency services.
Constable Jonathan Davies, of Takaka, told the Mail police believed the accident was caused by a change of wind direction and strength during take-off.
Mr Ormond dragged himself from the burning plane, before being pulled further away by Mr Miller and the plane's loader-driver.
Rowley Aviation Nelson owner Terry Nuttall said he spoke to Mr Ormond yesterday. He was "doing reasonably well" and had been visited by his wife and young son.
Mr Nuttall also described Mr Ormond as incredibly lucky to have survived.
The plane was reportedly wrecked beyond repair and the incident will be investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of Labour.
- NZPA
