Emergency services responding to the crash. PHOTO/ELI HILL
Two pilots have died as a result of a mid-air collision near the Hood Aerodrome in Masterton Sunday morning.
Emergency services were called to the crash involving two light aircraft near Hughes Line, Masterton at about 11.15am.
Michael O’Donnell of the Wairarapa Aero Club confirmed that one of their members had been killed in a mid-air collision this morning with what is reported to have been an aircraft from Skydive Wellington.
Hood Aerodrome, owned and operated by Masterton District Council, was supporting police and emergency services.
“We have a close-knit community at Hood Aerodrome and the incident has understandably rocked that community,” Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson said.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said emergency services had responded with crews from Masterton, Carterton, Greytown and Palmerston North being sent to put out a fire as a result of the crash.
“The fire has been extinguished and we are now assisting police operations.”
Emergency services were expected to remain at the scene for some time.
The road is cordoned where Hughes Line meets Cornwall Road with diversions in place.
Both the Civil Aviation Authority and Transport Accident Investigation Commission said they had been notified of the crash.
