The pilot of a plane that crashed near Narrabri on Thursday has been transferred to a Newcastle hospital for specialist treatment.

The 69-year-old pilot issued a mayday call to authorities just after 4pm on Thursday when the light aircraft suffered engine failure about 46km southwest of Narrabri.

The pilot, who had a 32-year-old male passenger on board, was attempting to make an emergency landing before the plane clipped trees and slammed into the ground.

The passenger suffered only minor injuries and was transported by Ambulance to Narrabri Hospital while the pilot suffered fractured ribs and head injuries and was flown by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Tamworth Hospital on Thursday night.

On Friday morning he was flown to John Hunter Hospital by fixed wing Ambulance in a stable condition for specialist treatment.

The single engine plane was significantly damaged in the crash and the wreckage remains in scrub land in the Pilliga Forest.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash and have confirmed the plane was on route from Dubbo to Moree when the incident occurred.

More details in tomorrow's edition of The Leader.