Light aircraft forced to make emergency landing in Rangiora

Police said the light aircraft had to land short of the Rangiora Aerodrome runway in a paddock.
Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin

A light aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Rangiora this morning, police say.

In a statement, Canterbury rural area commander Inspector Peter Cooper said the plane had an issue shortly after take-off at about 11am.

The pilot had to make an emergency landing in a paddock short of the Rangiora Aerodrome runway, he said.

Five people were on board with only minor injuries reported, he said.