A helicopter pilot has escaped unharmed after miraculously landing a burning helicopter in a clearing near Taupō.
The downed helicopter. Photo: Supplied / Greenlea Rescue Helicopter
The helicopter left Taumarunui to fly to Oruanui about 10.30am, but caught fire while flying over Pureora Forest, just west of Lake Taupō.
Despite losing power, the pilot managed to steer the aircraft to a nearby clearing.
He was spotted and picked up by a rescue helicopter tracking the flight path about 2pm, after the aircraft's emergency location beacon and tracking system both malfunctioned.
The civil aviation authority is investigating the crash.
The helicopter caught fire wile flying over Pureora Forest. Photo: Google Maps