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A suspected engine issue forced an emergency diversion for a Qantas flight departing Queenstown after flames were seen shooting out of the engine.
Queenstown residents saw what appeared to be flames coming from the engine of a Qantas flight destined for Sydney on Saturday, accompanied by the sound of loud explosions.
A Qantas spokeswoman said flight QF122 had experienced a suspected engine issue after take-off and was diverted to Christchurch as a precaution.
It landed safely shortly after 5pm.
“Our pilots are highly trained to manage situations like this and the aircraft landed safely,” she said.
“We know this would have been a distressing experience for passengers and will be contacting all customers to provide support.”
Customers would be provided accommodation and allocated other flights.
According to Flight Radar, the flight took off from Queenstown airport at 4.05pm and loud explosions were heard above Queenstown at 4.10pm.
Queenstown resident Julian Noel said he was outside at the time chatting away to a neighbour when he heard the first of many loud thunderous booms.
"I looked out towards the Remarkables and saw this Qantas jet gaining height, and there's the sound again.
Then there were these . . . flames, and they've just shot out of the engine.”
His first thought was “holy s..., is this plane going to fall out of the sky”.
laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
