'People were screaming': Qantas passengers tell of engine spitting fire

A Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney experienced an engine-related incident on Saturday afternoon, prompting the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Christchurch. Liza-Jayne Loch, a passenger on board the Boeing 737, recounted the harrowing experience, describing how cabin lights flickered and a bang shook the plane after flames were reportedly seen emanating from the left engine.

The flames appeared to issue in rapid bursts, causing widespread panic among passengers who screamed and shouted that "the engine's on fire." Despite the alarming situation, Loch and others managed to stay calm, recalling that modern jets are equipped to land safely on a single engine. The plane, however, continued to gain altitude as the flames persisted, exacerbating the passengers' distress.

Qantas flight QF122, bound for Sydney, suffered a suspected engine issue shortly after takeoff from Queenstown. The aircraft landed at Christchurch approximately 52 minutes after departure, touching down just before 5pm local time. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, but Qantas confirmed that both engines were operational during the flight.

Engineers from the airline arrived in Christchurch the following day to assess the situation. Emergency services were on standby at the tarmac to aid passenger disembarkation.

Passengers were allowed to leave the aircraft as normal following a brief wait, and cheers erupted when the plane landed safely. A Qantas spokesperson stated that the crew's calm demeanor played a crucial role in maintaining order and comfort among passengers. The airline also expressed concern for the distressed travelers and pledged to provide support, including accommodation and a complimentary flight to Sydney for affected passengers.

Loch herself admitted to crying upon disembarking the second flight in Sydney, highlighting the emotional toll of the harrowing ordeal.