Air NZ flight declares mayday over Napier, then lands safely

An Air New Zealand plane that declared a mayday as it approached Hawke’s Bay Airport this morning has landed safely. 

Flight NZ 5013 from Auckland to Napier was seen circling above Hawke Bay around 9.30am on Wednesday. 

The plane was meant to land in Napier at 9.15am. 

A spokeswoman from the Maritime New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre said the pilot had declared a mayday at 9.22am after encountering a front-wheel issue. 

The plane prepared to land around 9.40am, before landing safely around 10am. 

A substantial emergency services presence was sent to Hawke’s Bay Airport as the flight came in to land. 

Another Air New Zealand flight, NZ5770, from Christchurch to Napier, was diverted and landed in Palmerston North. 

It’s understood passengers on board that plane (which was initially due in Hawke’s Bay at 9.50am) were told they would be bused up to Napier. 

Two outbound morning flights, to Auckland and Christchurch, were also cancelled. 

Air New Zealand Chief Safety and Risk Officer Nathan McGraw said Flight NZ5013 from Auckland to Napier had landed safely after the crew received an indication relating to the aircraft’s nose wheel steering. 

“As a precaution, emergency services were on standby for the arrival. 

“All passengers disembarked as normal, and our engineering team will assess the aircraft before it returns to service.” 

A man at Hawke’s Bay Airport on Wednesday morning, who did not want to be named, said he saw two fire trucks on the tarmac prior to the plane landing. 

He said police and an ambulance were also at the airport and “everybody seemed pretty stressed”. 

After it had safely landed, emergency services dispersed, he said. 

The Marist Under-16 Water Polo team after landing safely at Hawke's Bay Airport from Auckland after their flight encountered a front-wheel issue. Photo / Doug Laing 

On the plane were the Marist Under 16 water polo team, who are in Hawke’s Bay for a 4-day club tournament. 

Manager Prue Fisher said they were told in the air there were “technical issues”. 

As they landed, they could see fire engines beside the runway, but “the boys were fine,” she said. 

- Hawke's Bay Today