The man who survived a plane crash in rugged back country in Taranaki has been discharged from hospital and his wife is expected to make a full recovery.

Alan Warner, 58, suffered moderate back injuries and his wife Anne, 55, suffered chest injuries when their Zenith Zodiac CH 601-XL aircraft crashed near Whangamomona on Sunday.

The Waitara couple who's Zenith Zodiac CH 601-XL aircraft crashed near Whangamomona on Sunday are set to make a full recovery. Photo: Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter/Facebook

The Waitara pair were found and winched to safety by the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter after a night sheltering under their wrecked plane.

They were admitted to Taranaki Base Hospital on Monday afternoon.

Alan was discharged late Monday night while Anne remains in hospital.

Adam Warner, the couple's eldest son, says his mother was expected to make a full recovery.

'Both Mum and Dad want me to pass on that they really appreciate all the wellwishers and support the family has received.

'We ask that media respect our parents' privacy at this time and also respect that neither of them will be giving interviews.”

His parents' brush with death and unexpected rescue began when they left Whitianga in their two-seater plane, heading for Stratford on Sunday afternoon.

It had last been heard from when the Alan made a radio call to the New Plymouth control tower about 4pm, located about 40km north east of Whangamomona in Taranaki.

Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand spokesman Steve Rendle says what was believed to be a distress beacon signal had again been detected from an area of rugged terrain, about 4km south of Matau.

Photos: Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter/Facebook

The couple were found alive on Monday morning next to the wreckage of their plane at the bottom of a steep valley, 8km west of Whangmomona.

At a press conference on Monday afternoon Adam Warner says it was a huge relief his parents had been found alive.

'They are doing well, a little bit shook up but better than what was expected,” Adam says.

'I think you automatically assume the worst in situations like this but we always tried to keep positive and we got a good outcome.”

Adam says flying was something his father had always wanted to do and it was on his bucket list.

He says his dad had also survived a health scare a few years ago and could have nine lives.

Several years ago a blood clot travelled to Alan's brain and he had to be flown to Wellington Hospital for an emergency procedure.

'You could say that probably, he's pretty lucky I suppose.”

- Taranaki Daily News