NZFF

A home-made aeroplane has crashed in a field south of Auckland with its pilot receiving minor injuries.

Firefighters isolated the aeroplane's fuel tanks from the wreckage at the crash site off Ponga Rd, near Opaheke, southeast of Papakura, Fire Service spokesman Jaron Phillips said.

Eyewitness reports indicated the pilot ejected from the plane , and emergency services staff had found him and he was OK.

There were no details available on how he ejected or if it was from any height.

Reports of second crash site near Drury had been investigated and proven false, Mr Phillips said.

"The pilot's fine, and [the aeroplane] didn't come down over any buildings. He was pretty lucky."

The incident had since been handed over to police and the pilot had now to arrange for his crashed aircraft to be taken away, Mr Phillips said.

Counties Manukau police described the aeroplane as a "home-built low wing aircraft" and said the pilot -- the sole occupant -- received minor injuries.

- NZPA[/quote]