Update, 1.20PM: Police are responding to reports of a plane crash near Thames.

Police received a report of a plane crashing near State Highway 25/Ngati Maru Highway at 12.45pm.

"Fortunately the pilot is reported to be out of the plane and appears to be uninjured," says a Police spokesperson.

The plane has struck a powerpole which has been dislodged.

Thames resident Edwin Booth happened on the scene just minutes after the crash.

He says he saw the pilot, an older man, who appeared to be unscathed. He was getting his belongings out of the cockpit.

Police, firefighters and St John Ambulance staff were all at the crash site, says Edwin.

'I assume he was coming in to land when it happened,” says Edwin. 'I think the guys who use the airfield are generally pretty safety conscious. I have lived in Thames for six years, and this is the first crash I have heard about happening there.

”My father is over from South Africa and I was taking him to see the Spitfire that's out at the airfield, but we got a different aircraft experience than what we were expecting,” says Edwin.

The plane, a Tecnam Eaglet, is owned by the Hauraki Aero Club, which is based at the airfield. Chief flying instructor Cliff McChesney says he knew the pilot, who lived in the district, well and had spoken to him after the crash.

'He had no injuries whatsoever – although I suspect his pride might have taken quite a hammering.”

The plane, crashed near Ngati Maru Highway/SH25. Photo: Edwin Booth.

The power lines had long been a concern for aviators making use of the east-west runway, says Cliff.

”We have been suggesting those lines be moved for a long time now. Now that this has happened we might finally see something happening.”

The Eaglet was the club's only aircraft at present. It had been insured for a $235,000 full replacement cost.

'We have currently got 40 members, 20 of whom are active fliers. We are all grounded now.”

Civil Aviation would be investigating the crash, he says, however the Transport Accident Investigation Commission would not be involved because the crash was not a fatality.

Emergency services at the scene of the plane crash near Ngati Maru Highway/SH25. Photo: Edwin Booth.

There has also been a power cut in the Thames area affecting 398 properties. The power outage occurred at 12.45pm. PowerCo are investigating and estimate power to be restored by 5pm.

The Sir Keith Thames-Kopu Airfield is located near the Ngati Maru Highway about three kilometres south of the town of Thames.

Entrance to Sir Keith Thames-Kopu Airfield on State Highway 25. Image: Google Maps.

Earlier, 1.03PM There is a power cut in Thames affecting 398 properties.

The power outage occurred at 12.45pm.

A site investigation is underway.

PowerCo estimate that power will be restored by 5pm.

Additional reporting by Mike Mather/Stuff