AN INVESTIGATION is to take place after a plane crash-landed at a Petts Wood school.

The student pilot, who has not been named, escaped with minor injuries after making the emergency landing at Southborough Lane Primary School.

It is believed she issued a mayday call after getting into difficulties shortly after taking off from Biggin Hill Airport yesterday (August 18).

An eyewitness Ryan Taylor noticed the low flying plane and rushed to the school grounds to see what he could do to help the pilot.

Mr Taylor, 18 said: “The front cone was gone and the propellers were gone but she was talking and she was fine.”

He added: “I said to her you have got an angel looking over you because she was alright.”

She was the only one onboard the Piper Cherokee during the incident which happened at around 2.30pm yesterday.

Biggin Hill Airport has announced it will be carrying out a full investigation into the incident.

Airport director Peter Lonergan said: “It was undoubtedly due to her skilful handling of the aircraft that she walked away from the scene with only minor injuries.”

He described the pilot as “An accomplished student with over 60 hours training under her belt.”

The woman, who is believed to be in her fifties, is now being treated in hospital.

Southborough Lane school closed last month for the summer break and there have been no other reported injuries.