Northern Ireland

Microlight in emergency landing after engine failure

 The microlight landed in a field close to Moate Road, between Newtownards and Comber
 The microlight landed in a field close to Moate Road, between Newtownards and Comber

A light aircraft has made an emergency landing after suffering engine failure over Co Down.

The microlight landed in a field close to Moate Road, between Newtownards and Comber.

The PSNI said the pilot and passenger were "safe and well".

Emergency services are at the scene awaiting the arrival of air accident investigators.

The plane took off from Newtownards air field at midday but the engine suffered a malfunction.

The pilot landed the plane in a field close to Moate Road, between Newtownards and Comber.

The plane's front wheel was damaged in the landing but police said the pilot and his passenger were "safe and well".

Emergency services were called to the scene and an air accident investigation team is expected to probe the crash.

The bodies of two Englishmen have not been found after a microlight crashed off the Co Antrim coast last month.

Terry Driffield (66) and Ray Hymas (68), both from north Yorkshire, were travelling in the small plane which crashed into the sea off Glenarm after leaving City of Derry Airport for Scotland.

Only some wreckage from the aircraft has been found.