The aircraft, known as a trike, was approaching the main runway in a northerly direction about 11.30am when a gust of wind caused it to become unbalanced. 

It then hit the ground heavily causing it to bounce and become airborne.

The pilot, a 73-year-old from Bayswater in Victoria, was forced to undertake an emergency landing, but it is believed the aircraft encountered problems while attempting to take off again, causing one of its wings to make contact with the ground, flipping the aircraft.

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Both occupants were trapped in the wreckage, several hundred metres from the main runway, for a short time before being taken to Wagga Base Hospital.

Wagga Local Area Command Detective Sergeant Sandy Green said the pair were lucky to have survived the accident.

She said the pilot suffered serious but non life-threatening injuries, while his passenger, a 45-year-old from Keilor East in Victoria, only had minor injuries.

The pair were part of the Megafauna Flyers – a group of pilots, aircrew and ground crew who fly multiple times a year – with a number of its members nearby at the Wagga Aero Club when the accident occurred. 

The group had left Yarrawonga yesterday morning and were landing in Wagga for a stopover last night on the way to Bathurst. 

The Daily Advertiser understands the pilot was an experienced flyer who had completed several trips with the group previously. 

Police, ambulance and airport staff responded to the accident, along with the NSW Rural Fire Service, who worked to ensure a small fuel leak remained under control.

The twisted wreckage of the trike remained at the scene yesterday afternoon as crime scene investigators examined the aircraft.

Passenger flights were unaffected by the accident, which will be reviewed by the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia.