Death in light plane crash

A pilot is dead after his plane hit an occupied car in Northland this afternoon.

The crash happened about 3.55pm at One Tree Point, 6km northwest of Marsden Point and 38km southeast of Whangarei.

The small plane was attempting to take off at Marsden Cove Marina when a strong gust of wind caught it, and it is understood it landed on a parked car and caught on fire.

The man, understood to be a manager at the marina, died in the crash.

Three people in the car received moderate injuries, but were not taken to hospital.

Ambulance northern communications team manager Ngaire Jones confirmed the casualties.

"The information we have is that the plane hit a car, and the three with moderate injuries were in the car," Ms Jones told NZPA.

Fire Service northern communications centre shift manager Megan Ruru said initial indications were that it was a light aircraft, but that had not been confirmed.

The plane was ablaze and set off a scrub fire which firefighters eventually brought under control.

- NZPA