New Zealand air force acrobatic pilot killed in crash

A New Zealand air force pilot in the elite display team was killed on Thursday when his plane crashed as he practised acrobatic manoeuvres, officials said.

A New Zealand air force pilot in the elite display team was killed on Thursday when his plane crashed as he practised acrobatic manoeuvres, officials said.

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The pilot, who has not been named, was a member of the Red Checkers display team and was on a solo run in an Air Force CT4 Airtrainer when he crashed near the Ohakea Air Force base in the south of North Island.

The Air Force was to release more information on the crash later on Thursday but Prime Minister John Key described the accident as a tragedy.

"The Royal New Zealand Air Force's safety record is excellent -- but there are always dangers when flying and, regrettably, they can claim the lives of even the very best of our pilots," Key said.