A light aircraft has been forced to make an emergency landing in the central west of New South Wales after an 82-year-old passenger tried to take over the controls.

The light plane left Bankstown airport this afternoon to travel to Cowra.

Police say during the flight it appears an incident occurred where the 23-year-old pilot was forced to restrain the passenger.

The ABC believes the elderly man attempted to take over the controls.

The pilot was flying the charter flight, which took off from Bankstown Airport destined for Cowra, on Monday afternoon.

It is understood a confrontation broke out mid-flight, forcing the pilot to restrain his passenger and carry out an emergency landing of the light aircraft in a paddock in Oberon.

The pilot made an emergency landing just before 3:00pm.

No-one was injured as a result of the landing and there was only minor damage to the aircraft.

The passenger was taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment of head and facial injuries.

The pilot was taken to Oberon Hospital to be treated for shock.