A pilot is recovering in hospital after his self-built plane experienced engine failure, crashing into a field at Tumut, west of Canberra, yesterday afternoon.
The man, who is in his 50s, received non-life-threatening back injuries when the single engine plane crash landed just after take off at Bombowlee.
The man took off from Tumut Airport about 4:30pm on Saturday, but his plane quickly began experiencing engine problems.
He was able to crash land the plane at a paddock near Wee Jasper Road about 800 metres south of the airport.
Video taken immediately after the crash shows witnesses scrambling to ensure the aircraft is not on fire, and offering first aid advice to the pilot, who is shown kneeling beside the plane, and later lying on the ground.
The man was treated by NSW Ambulance and taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in a stable condition.
Police said the man was an experienced pilot and had done well to avoid a more serious accident.
(Pictue: self-made plane crashed: Tumut and Adelong Times)