Passengers scramble to safety after plane makes 'hair raising' landing at airport

A plane with five people on board has made a dramatic emergency landing after running into trouble above Essendon Airport in Melbourne this afternoon.

Emergency services responded to the runway about 5.30pm after reports the landing gear of the light plane was not working.

The pilot was forced to burn off fuel for more than 15 minutes, according to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB).

"The plane was having trouble with its under carriage and wheels coming down,"Commander Graeme Gant said.

The 9NEWS chopper camera captured the aircraft hitting the runway with force, with smoke seen coming from the wheels as it came to a stop.

"The pilot did a magnificent job...I take my hat off to him," Comm. Gant said in response to the landing.

"I'm sure it was quite hair-raising for the passengers though," he added.

All five people on board were shown running from the door of the plane, with two females hugging on the tarmac.

No one was injured.

"We're very happy," one of the female passengers told 9NEWS after the ordeal.

Investigations into the incident are now underway.