An aviation college boss has thanked Marlborough Aero Club members for their help when one of his students crash landed at Omaka Airfield on Friday.
A 21-year-old student from the Nelson Aviation College, based in Motueka, was the sole occupant of the two-seater Cessna 152 when the front wheel buckled during a routine landing about 3pm.
The pilot, who is from Oman, walked away from the crash with no injuries although he was shaken. He was seen by St John Ambulance staff.
Nelson Aviation College chief executive Giles Witney said the man had been a student since he arrived in New Zealand 11 months ago and had just gained his private pilot licence.
Mr Witney thanked the Marlborough Aero Club for its help and said the most important thing was there were no injuries.
The pilot and two other students flying solo had flown from Motueka to Lake Station Airfield near St Arnaud and were coming to Omaka to refuel for the return journey, he said.
The Cessna would probably be repairable, subject to the insurance company's assessment, he said.
The college was investigating the incident.
Vince Gardner, who flies with the Marlborough Aero Club, was second on the scene.
Mr Gardner said he saw the plane crashed on its nose.
He and another person who rushed to the crashed plane checked the pilot was all right, and turned the plane's power off.
Civil Aviation Authority communications manager Bill Sommers said the accident was reported to the authority. The pilot is to file a report of the accident to the authority.
Omaka airfield is a club field about 5km from Blenheim.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG AND MICHAEL BERRY
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