Queenstown, NZ: A Qantas flight travelling from Queenstown to Sydney was forced to make a priority landing in Christchurch after experiencing a suspected engine issue shortly after take-off on September 5.
Qantas flight QF122, operated by a Boeing 737, encountered the problem while climbing over New Zealand’s South Island mountain ranges. Passenger-recorded footage showed flames appearing around the aircraft’s left engine during the incident.
The aircraft continued its flight before landing safely at Christchurch International Airport approximately 52 minutes after departing Queenstown, according to FlightAware data. The plane touched down shortly before 5 pm local time, with emergency services positioned on the tarmac as a precaution.
Both engines are believed to have remained operational throughout the flight. The precise cause of the incident has not yet been established, and Qantas has sent two engineers to Christchurch to investigate the aircraft and determine what caused the suspected engine problem.
The airline said that its pilots were highly trained to manage such situations and confirmed that the aircraft landed safely. Qantas also acknowledged that the incident may have been distressing for passengers and said support would be provided to those affected.
Passengers were temporarily accommodated at a hotel near Christchurch International Airport before being transferred to Sydney on a complimentary flight on September 6.
The incident comes as aviation authorities and airlines continue to emphasise the importance of established safety procedures and pilot training when dealing with technical problems during flight.
Qantas has not yet released further details on the nature of the engine issue or whether any additional inspections will be required before the aircraft returns to service.
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