Pilot Walked Away From Crash Landing

Six parachutists jumped to safety from an aircraft after its engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing, but crashed in a vineyard near Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.

Authorities on the scene say the single-engine aircraft, reportedly a Cessna (type unknown) owned by Whenuapai's Aviation Sports Club, experienced engine failure at around 2000 feet. Witnesses on the ground heard the engine sputter, then saw smoke streaming from the aircraft.

The six experienced skydivers bailed when the plane's engine quit. Skydiver Bruce Thompson told TVNZ, a local television station, "We landed in a paddock behind a tavern which was nicely done, but we overcame the desire to go inside."

The aircraft crashed into a field at the Kumeu River Vineyards in West Auckland nosing over on its back before coming to rest. Although the pilot reportedly walked away, he was later taken to a local hospital and treated for moderate injuries.

Fire and rescue covered the aircraft with a fire-retardant foam because the fuel tanks were nearly full. The New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority was on the scene investigating almost immediately.

TVNZ reports the skydivers were practicing for a fireworks display scheduled for Saturday night.

Thompson said, "Our aim is to carry on.  It has slowed our day down but we'll carry on as soon as we get an aircraft arranged again."

Apparently, the show must go on!

FMI: www.caa.govt.nz/