AN amateur flyer had an amazing escape when his microlight aircraft hit a power cable and plunged into a field.

The 36-year-old Rotherham man fell 40ft after hitting the cable coming into land at Rufforth Airfield, near York.

The man, an experienced pilot and member of the York Flying Club, is believed to have struck the cable while about to land after an hour in the skies.

Fire crews cut him from the wreckage and he was treated for spinal and chest injuries before being taken to York District Hospital.

The incident happened at 4.15pm yesterday (Tuesday) and emergency services were quickly on the scene.

John Teasdale, director of York Microlight Centre, told the Evening Press: "He was very lucky to escape with only minor injuries.

"It appears that the vehicle struck the cable and then came to the ground. He is an experienced pilot.

"This is the first incident of this type at this airfield. It could have been much worse."

He added that the Mainair Blade microlight would have been travelling "reasonably slowly" at the time of the impact.

A Northern Electric worker at the scene said: "It looks like he hit the cables, but they don't seem to be damaged. He must be lucky to escape without worse injuries."

Fire crews were first on the scene and used cutting equipment to reach the injured man.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said a call was received from fire crews and officers attended.

"It appears that a microlight has hit power cables bringing it to the ground," he said.

He added that the Air Accident Investigation Board had been informed.

Updated: 08:41 Wednesday, July 04, 2001