Virgin Airlines engine catches alight forcing aircraft to make emergency landing at Invercargill Airport
A Virgin Airlines flight has had to make an emergency landing at Invercargill Airport after an engine fire.
The flight from Queenstown to Melbourne reportedly experienced engine problems on takeoff.
Flames came from the engine and witnesses heard loud bangs.
A Queenstown Airport spokeswoman said: “Virgin Australia flight VA148 departed Queenstown Airport at 5.59pm en route to Melbourne. A problem occurred shortly after take-off and the aircraft was diverted to Invercargill Airport.”
A witness saw the plane fly over.
“It made a tremendous pulsing/knocking noise from one engine and then shot out flames – maybe hit a bird?” said Nick Lambert.
Another witness said: ‘It sounded like it was falling apart above our house. One engine threw flames and sputtered out.”
There were believed to be 73 people on board the plane at the time, with both a passenger and a crew member injured after the emergency landing.
More to come.
A Virgin Airlines flight has been forced to make an emergency landing at Invercargill Airport after an engine fire
Flames came from the engine and witnesses heard loud bangs