The aircraft was landed perfectly and doesn't have a scratch in it... nobody hurt. The engine apparently lost oil pressure.
A couple flying a single-engine plane had to make an emergency landing on Paraparaumu Beach.
Emergency services raced to the beach after receiving the message that the Cessna 172, flying from Ardmore, south of Auckland, to Motueka, near Nelson, had engine problems and was forced to make an emergency landing on Paraparaumu Beach at about 2.45pm yesterday.
Sergeant Steve Kendrick said the engine started cutting out, then stopped. "With a strong tail wind and about five miles out, the pilot thought he could reach Paraparaumu Airport but realised it was a one-shot wonder to run in. Because the tide was out he decided to put it down on the beach."
He said the pilot and his wife were unharmed and ambulance and fire services were not needed.
"He has owned a plane and had it well maintained for many years, the motor just decided to die on him."
The pilot, Fred Bain, said he had been flying since 1960 and it was the first time he had been forced to perform an emergency landing.
"When the engine stops you have to land. I have never landed on a beach before – it came down to good training."
His wife Eileen was shaken by the ordeal. "We had two choices, to land on the houses or the beach. He did a perfect landing, but I am quite shaken up. The main thing is we got down safely. Helipro and emergency services were wonderful."
They left their plane at Helipro's hangar while one of the company's pilots flew them to Motueka so they did not miss their function.
Veteran pilot lands plane on beach - national | Stuff.co.nz