Two men suffered broken bones when a small plane crashed into a paddock north of Christchurch last night.
The plane went down at Burnt Hill, near the North Canterbury town of Oxford, about 5.45pm, police southern communications Inspector Murray Hurst said.
The 27-year-old and 32-year-old occupants of the plane, believed to be a Tomahawk, both suffered broken legs and one had a broken arm.
Their injuries were not life-threatening and both men were conscious after the crash, Mr Hurst said.
"The pilot rang the ambulance service."
Both men were taken to hospital by the Christchurch-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The cause of the accident was not yet known.
"I don't know whether he was coming in to land or whether he had engine trouble or what, so I guess that will all come out in the wash," Mr Hurst said.
A rescue helicopter spokesperson said the plane crashed into an open flat paddock.
Due to the remoteness of the scene additional St John paramedics and fire service staff with cutting equipment were flown in to help extricate the men.
The crash would be investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority.
