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A Virgin Australia Boeing jet made an emergency landing in New Zealand after flames shot from one of its engines.
In a statement, the airline said the aircraft landed safely after a “possible bird strike.”
The Boeing 737-800 had 67 passengers and six crew on board and landed at Invercargill Airport on New Zealand’s South Island.
The flight was traveling from Queenstown, New Zealand, to Melbourne, Australia.
“A Virgin Australia flight made an emergency landing in New Zealand after a possible bird strike. Video taken from inside the cabin shows flames coming out of one of the engines. The flight was diverted shortly after takeoff,” World News Tonight wrote.
WATCH:
A Virgin Australia flight made an emergency landing in New Zealand after a possible bird strike. Video taken from inside the cabin shows flames coming out of one of the engines. The flight was diverted shortly after takeoff. @GioBenitez reports. https://t.co/pXnZKMSr7h pic.twitter.com/JYPEuYmaCp
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) June 18, 2024
“Virgin Australia can now confirm that all passengers have disembarked VA148, which landed safely at New Zealand’s Invercargill Airport following a possible bird strike after departing from Queenstown Airport,” Virgin Australia Chief Operations Officer Stuart Aggs told Fox Business.
“At this time, we are not aware of any physical injuries to guests or crew. Emergency services personnel are on the ground at Invercargill Airport,” he added.
Per Fox Business:
New Zealand’s national fire service said a fire had shut down one of the plane’s engines, The Associated Press reported.
“Our efforts are now focused on providing support for our guests and crew, as well as transporting and accommodating guests in Invercargill this evening and arranging for their earliest onward travel to Australia,” Aggs told FOX Business.
“We wish to express our appreciation for the support of Invercargill Airport, Emergency Services, local Air New Zealand team members and our crew onboard in helping to support tonight’s response effort,” he added.
WATCH:
BOEING ENGINE FIRE CAUSES EMERGENCY LANDING IN NEW ZEALAND
A Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 67 passengers on board was traveling from Queenstown to Melbourne when it’s believed a bird flew into one of the engines, causing a fire.
“Virgin Australia can now confirm that all… pic.twitter.com/ZJjVeRxgHc
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 18, 2024
ABC News reports:
Michael Hayward, who had been sitting in seat 22F on the flight, told ABC News that flames appeared to be shooting from one of the plane’s engines shortly after takeoff.
“After 50 minutes of flying to burn fuel and lose weight, the aircraft diverted to Invercargill,” Hayward said.
Darren Robinson, of Shotover Country in Queenstown, shot a short video of the plane from the ground.
“Heard a loud band and went outside to see a plane engine on fire,” he said on social media. “Hopefully they land safely.”
