A low-flying plane sparked a 111 call to emergency services yesterday after someone thought they saw it crash.
A police spokesman said a member of the public made a 111 call about 6pm, saying they thought they saw a plane crash beside the Waipahi Highway south of Clinton.
Emergency services were called, but were stood down as there was no sign of a crashed aircraft, believed to be a military aircraft.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force and New Zealand Army personnel are based at the Alexandra airport, for two field exercises.
An air force spokeswoman confirmed members of 40 Squadron from Whenuapai, near Auckland, were flying C-130 Hercules in the South Otago area yesterday.
She said up to three Hercules aircraft would be flying anywhere between Invercargill and Tekapo this week, conducting low-level flying manoeuvres to 250 feet and dropping parachutes from the rear of the aircraft.
The aircraft would be taking part in controlled manoeuvres and the public should not be alarmed by low flying or parachute drops.
Exercise Skytrain runs from February 27 to March 9 and Exercise Wiseowl, to hone flying skills, will run from March 12 to 23.
Open days will be held in Alexandra on March 3 and 17, giving the public a chance to inspect the fleet and meet air force personnel.
