The small plane, carrying a pilot and one passenger, took off from Albury about 2.40pm.

Ground crew spotted that one of the rear wheels was missing and contacted the pilot, who turned back and made an emergency landing.

Fire and Rescue NSW duty commander Stewart Alexander said the plane had circled the area a few times to burn off fuel before landing on the grass strip to the south of the main runway.

“There were no injuries, no fuel spills, no fires,” Mr Alexander said.

“The airport’s emergency plan worked very well and all emergency resources worked very well together.”

It is unknown what caused the wheel to fall off.

It is understood the plane, which is hired for commercial uses, only has room for two passengers.