A PILOT was taken to hospital after a microlight crashed near Halfpenny Green Airport.

The crash happened on Crab Lane in Bobbington at 3.46pm on Monday (May 29).

Medics checked a man over at the scene before taking him to Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital with "minor injuries".

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called at 3.46pm on Monday to reports of a collision involving a light aircraft on Crab Lane, Bobbington.

"One ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene.

"Upon arrival we found a man from the plane who was assessed and had sustained minor injuries.

"He was conveyed to New Cross Hospital for further assessment."

The incident has been reported to the Air Accident Investigation Branch by the airport.

Airport operations manager Brian Rawlings said: "Engine failure caused a forced landing.

"It was attended by our emergency fire crew. The pilot was unhurt but was taken to hospital to be checked over and was released straight away.

"The incident triggered our automatic lockdown procedure as our fire crew had left the site. 

"We stopped all flying activity until their return."