‘The engine’s on fire’: Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney reroutes after flames seen by passengers

A Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney encountered a troubling incident after flames were spotted by passengers emanating from the left engine. On Saturday afternoon, the Boeing 737 was climbing above the South Island's mountain ranges when a sudden bang resonated through the cabin, followed by flickering cabin lights and screams of alarm.

Witness Liza-Jayne Loch, seated near the left wing, remembered the flames being "very, very visible" as she tried to remain calm, recalling that planes could safely land with one engine functional. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, and the plane made an emergency landing at Christchurch about 52 minutes later. Emergency services were present on the tarmac, and passengers were allowed to disembark as normal.

Qantas engineers arrived in Christchurch the following day to investigate the cause, which remains undetermined. Despite the distressing experience, the crew remained composed, comforting passengers throughout the ordeal. "The crew were all terribly, terribly calming," Loch recalled. Qantas stated that the plane landed safely and supported affected customers, providing them with accommodation and a complimentary flight to Sydney on Sunday.

While Loch expressed relief at reaching Sydney, she admitted still feeling nervous after the experience.