Rescuers salvage a downed plane in Zhuhai on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. [Photo: xkb.com.cn]

A mini-plane crashed into sea during a test flight on Wednesday in Zhuhai, with its pilot injured.

The New Express, a local newspaper, reported that the plane was a product of an aircraft joint venture between Yanzhou, a local company in Zhuhai, and DYNALOE, a French counterpart.

It was flown by a French engineer on Wednesday morning, but unfortunately crashed into the sea 40 minutes after taking off. It was salvaged by rescuers within two hours after the crash.

Planes of the same type had been scheduled to attend the Zhuhai Airshow, which is underway in the city.

According to general manager of the aircraft company, their firm was applying for a temporary airspace to conduct a test flight of their small plane, but failed to get an approval before the flight. The engineer insisted on doing the test flight anyway, even though accidents often occur when such planes are flown at low altitudes.

The company has to cancel its plans to attend the ongoing airshow at Zhuhai, the general manager said.

The accident has also drawn attention to flight security at the show.