8-11-2024 (SYDNEY) A Qantas flight bound for Brisbane was forced to make an emergency return to Sydney Airport following a reported engine explosion that triggered a grassfire beside the runway.
Flight QF520, carrying 174 passengers aboard a Boeing 737, experienced significant engine troubles shortly after takeoff at approximately 1pm today. Passengers reported hearing a distinct “loud bang” from the aircraft’s right engine moments after becoming airborne.
Today show producer Georgina Lewis, who was among the passengers, described the tense atmosphere in the cabin following the incident. “The initial bang was followed by an eerie silence. There was a palpable sense of concern as the aircraft seemed to struggle gaining altitude,” she said.
The flight crew professionally managed the situation, with the pilot addressing passengers approximately ten minutes after the incident to explain that the right engine had been deliberately shut down as a safety measure. The aircraft then spent considerable time circling over waters south of Sydney whilst ground crews prepared for an emergency landing.
The Boeing 737 successfully executed a safe landing back at Sydney Airport, with no injuries reported among passengers or crew. The incident resulted in a small grassfire adjacent to the runway, which was promptly contained by emergency services.
Our landing at Sydney airport was aborted by a grass fire next to the runway. Have the fire crews something to do. pic.twitter.com/EbTwYD6ZGV
— Nigel Withers (@MajorBlipvert) November 8, 2024
