Two people have been badly injured in a light plane crash near Murchison in the Tasman region.
The Rescue Coordination Centre said a locator beacon was activated at about 3.30pm.
There were also distress calls from the plane.
Two rescue helicopters were sent to the scene to take the injured people to hospital. The pair are now at Nelson Hospital.
Police were told the plane crashed off the end of a private runway.
The matter has now been referred to the Civil Aviation Authority.