Qantas Flight Diverts After Passengers Report Flames From Left Engine

A Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney was diverted to Christchurch on Saturday after passengers reported seeing repeated bursts of flame from the aircraft’s left engine shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 737 was climbing over New Zealand’s South Island when a bang was heard in the cabin, according to passenger Liza-Jayne Loch. She said another passenger called out that the engine was on fire as the cabin lights flickered and the noise continued. Video recorded by a passenger and shared with the Australian Associated Press appeared to show flames emerging from the left engine in a series of brief bursts. Loch, who was seated on the left side of the aircraft, said the flames were clearly visible and that passengers began screaming. Qantas flight QF122 made a priority landing at Christchurch shortly before 5 p.m. local time, around 52 minutes after departing Queenstown, according to FlightAware. Emergency services were waiting when the plane arrived, but passengers were able to leave the aircraft normally after a short delay. The precise cause has not been established. Qantas said the aircraft was believed to have experienced an engine issue and that its pilots were trained to manage such situations. The airline also said both engines were thought to have remained in operation throughout the flight. Qantas sent two engineers to Christchurch on Sunday to investigate. The airline said it would contact passengers to offer support, while affected travelers were accommodated at a hotel near Christchurch International Airport and later placed on a complimentary flight to Sydney. Loch said cabin crew worked to reassure passengers after the initial alarm. She recalled cheers when the aircraft landed in Christchurch, but said the experience remained distressing. She later described crying after the replacement flight arrived in Sydney.