Light plane filmed crashing on NZ beach

A light aircraft has been filmed crashing into the surf while trying to takeoff from a New Zealand beach where it had made an emergency landing.

Local resident Tim Davin saw the place circle and land at Mahurangi beach, north of Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island, on Friday afternoon.

Mr Davin told Radio New Zealand he spoke to the pilot who said a fuel blockage had forced him to land.

Mr Davin filmed the plane attempt to take off.

The footage shows the aircraft taxiing along the beach and hitting the water where it appears to nose-dive.

Remarkably, the pilot and passenger were unharmed in the crash but the plane’s propeller and wing were damaged.

A New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson told Radio NZ they had not yet been notified of the incident.

Author: Alys Francis. Approving editor: Matthew Henry.
Source: Radio New Zealand.