TWO pilots from a York flying club were injured when their light aircraft crashed after it was hit by a freak gust just after landing.

Emergency services were called in when the single-engine, high-wing aircraft crashed at Sandtoft airfield, in North Lincolnshire after taking off from Rufforth airfield.

The 64-year-old pilot suffered minor injuries to his head and shoulder and was treated at the scene.

His 76-year-old passenger received chest injuries and had to be cut free from the wrecked aircraft.

He was airlifted to hospital in Scunthorpe by the Lincolnshire air ambulance. Police said his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Inspector Steve Page said it appeared the aircraft, which was on a leisure flight to Sandtoft, had made a successful landing at Sandtoft but, immediately afterwards had been caught by a cross-wind that caused it to collide with a lighting pylon.

The aircraft lost a wheel in the impact and then flipped over.

One member of staff at the airfield reported seeing the plane suddenly "flip".

Speaking at the scene, Inspector Graham Ward, of Humberside Police, said: "The pilot was able to get out but his passenger was trapped, mainly because of the injuries suffered."

Insp Page added: "Having assessed the scene and the circumstances of the crash, the police will not be investigating."

John Teasdale, who runs Airsports Training microlight school at Rufforth airfield, said both men were members of York Flying Club - a separate organisation - and were qualified and experienced pilots.

He said the passenger was from York and the pilot was from West Yorkshire and they shared the aircraft.

The pilot was said to have returned home on Saturday but his colleague remained in hospital today.

Ed Cunliffe, chairman of York Flying Club, said the incident was being investigated by the Air Accident Investigation Board of the Department of Transport.

Updated: 11:32 Monday, March 04, 2002