An international student flying solo has been grounded after botching a flying exercise and damaging an aircraft at Dunedin airport yesterday.
Mainland Air general manager Shirley Kean said the Asian student was practising a touch-and-go circuit in a Mainland Air training aircraft, a Cessna 152.
''In this landing, he came in and he didn't do it properly,'' Mrs Kean said.
The student landed on the runway but came to a rest on nearby grass, rather than taking off again.
The pilot, in his 20s, was not injured, she said.
He began flying solo about a fortnight ago.
After the crash, the student returned to his studies at Mainland Air yesterday afternoon.
He was eager to return to the skies as soon as possible.
''We probably will put him back in the air but he won't be going solo again for a wee while,'' Mrs Kean said.
Airport chief executive Richard Roberts said no flights were delayed and no passengers were affected by the incident.
A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said the Cessna was damaged in the ''landing accident'' after the pilot lost control.
''The CAA will work with the operator to establish the circumstances and ascertain if any safety learning opportunities are available.''
Touch and go
• A common manoeuvre when learning to fly.
• Involves landing on a runway and taking off without stopping.
