6PM:

QANTAS STATEMENT ON QF122

 Comments from Qantas Spokesperson:

“One of our flights to Sydney experienced a suspected engine issue after take-off from Queenstown this afternoon and the aircraft diverted to Christchurch.

“Our pilots are highly trained to manage situations like this and the aircraft landed safely.

“We know this would have been a distressing experience for passengers and will be contacting all customers to provide support.”

Further information:

• QF122 from Queenstown to Sydney Saturday 5 September.
• Customers will be provided accommodation and reaccommodated on other flights 

——

A Qantas international flight has landed safely at Christchurch Airport after an engine incident prompted a diversion from its journey between Queenstown and Sydney.

Video sent to chrislynchmedia.com shows the Qantas plane flying over Queenstown, with resident Luke Pace, who was filming, saying “fireballs” were coming from one of its engines.

Pace told chrislynchmedia.com: “We heard a few consecutive loud explosions and looked out the window to see the Qantas plane blowing fireballs from one of the engines, coinciding with each bang.”

Pace said he heard about four or five explosions before the aircraft appeared to steady after about a minute.

A full emergency response was sent to Christchurch Airport, including multiple Fire and Emergency crews and five ambulances.

A St John spokesperson said St John was notified at 4.25pm of a flight diversion.

“Multiple ambulance resources have responded to Christchurch Airport as a standard procedure.”

Chris Lynch Media understands 158 people were on board.

A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed to chrislynchmedia.com the flight had been diverted and said further details would be made available when possible.

A police spokeswoman told chrislynchmedia.com police were notified of the incident, but referred further questions to the Civil Aviation Authority.

A Christchurch Airport spokesman said the aircraft landed safely at Christchurch Airport just before 5pm.