The plane, which belongs to Tayside Aviation, suffered damage to its undercarriage, fuselage and a wing when it went off course at the end of a training session with an RAF cadet.

Air Cadet Mike Corns was undergoing ‘circuits’ training, involving take-off and landing practice, with instructor Dan Scott when the incident occurred.

Having already completed one circuit, Mr Corns brought the aircraft in to land for a second time, but it appears Mr Scott was unhappy with the approach and took over the landing.

According to Lovat Fraser, managing director and head of training at Tayside Aviation, Mr Scott applied full power and raised the wing flaps to bring the craft in to land as according to standard landing procedure, but there remains a question as to whether they worked correctly.

Mr Scott decided to put the Heron plane down on the grass to try to avoid damaging it, but the craft veered and ran into the airfield perimeter fence.

Mr Fraser said the incident — which occurred shortly before 11am — was unusual, but not unheard of, in training situations.

“It’s the first time for many years we’ve had an incident like this when training a pilot, but, from time to time, there are accidents when in a training environment and inexperienced pilots are involved.

“We are glad no one was hurt and the cadet was taken flying again immediately, as is standard practice, to make sure their confidence is not dented.”

He added, “However, it is unfortunate it happened with one of our new planes, but it’s too early to assess how much it will cost to repair.”

Earlier this year, a private plane with six passengers and two crew was forced into an emergency landing at Dundee Airport after a warning light indicated a problem with the brakes and hydraulic flats.

The most serious incident at the riverside facility in recent years occurred in 2003, when a plane ended up in the Tay after a wing clipped the ground while touching down. The occupants were rescued by hovercraft and required hospital treatment.