WWII Spitfire fighter plane in second crash

JOHN SELKIRK

CRASH SCENE: The damaged spitfire lies off the runway at Ardmore Airport.

Spitfire crash

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An Auckland man has survived his second crash in his priceless WWII fighter plane in less than a year.

The Spitfire plane crash landed at Auckland's Ardmore airport at 11.50 this morning.

The plane - one of only two in the country - is owned by local man Doug Brooker, who imported the two seater aircraft last year.

It is Mr Brooker and the plane's second crash this year; on January 15 it suffered a heavy forced landing on Hood Aerodrome, near Masterton.

Just after today's crash Mr Brooker told Stuff.co.nz: "I don't feel like talking right now".

It is understood the plane's propeller, undercarriage and some fuel lines were damaged in the crash.

Mr Brooker was not injured in the crash.

The Spitfire bounced as it came in to land at Ardmore, causing the under carriage to collapse and the plane skidded for approximately 50 metres on its belly along the tarmac landing strip and came to rest on the grass, Senior Sergeant Peter Raynes said.

It is now angled with its nose down, propeller smashed and the undercarriage crumpled beneath as two mechanics work to ensure the engine has completely shut down.

Raynes said the pilot was very shaken up but able to walk away uninjured.

He has left the scene and was being looked after by friends.

Police have secured the scene while civil aviation begin their investigation.

Airport staff were liaising with the owner of the aircraft, painted in RAF desert colours with the markings of FL-A, for its removal from the runway.

- Stuff.co.nz