iscover
Qantas engineers are investigating after a 737-800 was diverted to Christchurch following an engine issue over the weekend.
Flight QF122 from Queenstown to Sydney on Saturday, operated by VH-VZQ (similar aircraft pictured), landed safely in Christchurch after passengers reportedly heard loud bangs and saw flames from its left-hand engine. Engineers arrived in Christchurch on Sunday to inspect the aircraft.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Australian Aviation understands the aircraft was able to operate with both engines, and did not need to make an emergency landing.
“One of our flights to Sydney experienced a suspected engine issue after take-off from Queenstown on Saturday afternoon and the aircraft diverted to Christchurch,” a Qantas spokesperson said.
“Our pilots are highly trained to manage situations like this and the aircraft landed safely. We know this would have been a distressing experience for passengers and will be contacting all customers to provide support.”
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) confirmed that an inquiry into the incident had not been deemed necessary, with the ATSB also not investigating.
“TAIC was notified of the incident and gathered information about what occurred,” the spokesperson said.
“On the information available to the Commission, there was no indication that an inquiry would identify significant implications for transport safety or lead to findings or recommendations that would improve transport safety. TAIC therefore decided not to open an inquiry.
“TAIC’s role is to investigate selected aviation, maritime and rail accidents and incidents where doing so can contribute to preventing similar occurrences in the future. It is not the Commission’s role to investigate every reported incident.”
The diversion comes almost two years after a more serious occurrence in which an engine failure on a Qantas 737-800 sparked a grass fire at Sydney Airport.
Flight QF520 to Brisbane on 8 November 2024, operated by VH-VYH, was forced to return to Sydney after a loud bang was heard from the right engine during the take-off roll. According to investigators, the failure occurred after the aircraft had already reached V1 decision speed and could not abort.
In its final report released in April, the ATSB said all parties involved in the emergency – the flight and cabin crew, ARFFS, and air traffic controllers – had worked together effectively to ensure a safe and uneventful return to Sydney for the aircraft, and the 181 people on board.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
