‘The engine’s on fire’: Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney reroutes after flames seen by passengers
News Source
•Sun, 06 Sep 2026 07:32:58 GMT
📰 What Happened
A Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney was rerouted after flames appeared from its engine. Passenger Liza-Jayne Loch heard a loud bang as the plane climbed over New Zealand's South Island. Someone shouted that the engine was on fire.
The cabin lights flickered and passengers screamed. Video taken by a passenger showed flames bursting from the left engine. The pilot turned the Boeing 737 around and landed safely in Christchurch about 52 minutes after takeoff.
Loch said she kept telling herself the plane could fly on one engine. No one was hurt, but the scare was very real.
🔍 The Backstory
Modern jet planes are built to fly safely with one engine. That design is why pilots can land safely when an engine fails. Qantas and investigators will now work out what caused the problem.
Engine trouble is rare, but it does happen. Airlines run strict safety checks, and pilots train for these situations many times.
Flight QF122 was heading to Sydney on Saturday afternoon. The plane touched down in Christchurch shortly before 5pm local time, where passengers received help.
🎯 Why It Matters
Millions of Australians fly every year. Knowing that crews train for engine failure helps travellers feel safer. It is also a reminder that quick thinking by pilots saves lives.
A Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney was rerouted after flames appeared from its engine. Passenger Liza-Jayne Loch heard a loud bang as the plane climbed over New Zealand's South Island. Someone shouted that the engine was on fire.
The cabin lights flickered and passengers screamed. Video taken by a passenger showed flames bursting from the left engine. The pilot turned the Boeing 737 around and landed safely in Christchurch about 52 minutes after takeoff.
Loch said she kept telling herself the plane could fly on one engine. No one was hurt, but the scare was very real.
Modern jet planes are built to fly safely with one engine. That design is why pilots can land safely when an engine fails. Qantas and investigators will now work out what caused the problem.
Engine trouble is rare, but it does happen. Airlines run strict safety checks, and pilots train for these situations many times.
Flight QF122 was heading to Sydney on Saturday afternoon. The plane touched down in Christchurch shortly before 5pm local time, where passengers received help.
Millions of Australians fly every year. Knowing that crews train for engine failure helps travellers feel safer. It is also a reminder that quick thinking by pilots saves lives.