Passengers on a Qantas flight to Perth watched flames shoot from a wing as the plane prepared to take off from Karratha Airport on Sunday evening. The engine problem struck flight QF1737 shortly before departure, and travellers recorded the flames from their seats before being evacuated from the aircraft.
The Airbus A320 was safely returned to its bay at the airport, and Qantas engineers were called to inspect it. The airline said the plane would undergo a full assessment and any necessary repairs before it returns to service.
Karratha Airport serves the Pilbara region of Western Australia, a mining hub, and Qantas runs regular services between the town and Perth.
A Qantas spokesperson said safety comes first for the airline.
“We apologise to customers for the inconvenience and thank them for their understanding,” the spokesperson said.
Affected passengers were accommodated on Sunday night, and the airline said replacement flights had been organised by 8.20am on Monday.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- A serious engine event on a scheduled regional flight, caught on camera by passengers, puts attention on how quickly an aircraft is cleared to fly again.
- Karratha is a remote Pilbara centre where air links to Perth are the main connection for residents and mine workers, so a cancelled evening service has practical knock-on effects.
- Passengers were rebooked by Monday morning, limiting disruption, but the plane's return to service depends on the engineers' assessment.
Background
Karratha Airport is the main air gateway for Western Australia's Pilbara mining region, several hours' drive from Perth. Qantas operates regular scheduled services between the town and the state capital, using narrowbody aircraft such as the A320 on the route. Engine problems before take-off are handled by returning the aircraft to the gate or bay for inspection rather than continuing the flight.
Key Perspectives
Qantas: says safety is always its number one priority, apologised to customers for the inconvenience and thanked them for their understanding.
What to Watch
- The outcome of Qantas's assessment of the engine and any repairs, which will determine when the aircraft flies again.
- Whether the passengers' replacement flights ran as scheduled after Monday morning's rebooking.
- Any further comment from the airline on the cause of the engine issue.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedFlames shot from the wing of a Perth-bound Qantas plane at Karratha.7NEWS: “Qantas passengers anticipating take-off on the tarmac have witnessed fire shooting out from the wing of the plane.”
- SupportedThe flight aborted its take-off at Karratha.7NEWS: “Flames shoot from Perth-bound Qantas plane as pilot abandons take-off at Karratha Airport.”
- SupportedThe A320 will have a full assessment and necessary repairs before returning to service.7NEWS: “A full assessment and necessary repairs will be made to the plane before it is returned to service.”
- SupportedEngine issues affected QF1737 to Perth just before take-off on Sunday evening.7NEWS: “The engine issues impacted flight QF1737 to Perth, just before the plane took off from Karratha Airport on Sunday evening.”
- SupportedTravellers recorded the flames from their seats.7NEWS: “Concerned travellers recorded the flames from their seats, before they were evacuated from the aircraft.”
- SupportedPassengers were evacuated from the aircraft.7NEWS: “Concerned travellers recorded the flames from their seats, before they were evacuated from the aircraft.”
- SupportedThe A320 was safely returned to the airport bay.7NEWS: “The A320 was safely returned to the bay, and Qantas engineers were called.”
- SupportedA Qantas spokesperson said safety comes first for the airline.7NEWS: ““Safety is always our number one priority,” a Qantas spokesperson said.”
- SupportedThe spokesperson said, “We apologise to customers for the inconvenience and thank them for their understanding.”7NEWS: ““We apologise to customers for the inconvenience and thank them for their understanding.””
- SupportedThe airline said replacement flights had been organised by 8.20am on Monday.7NEWS: “Affected passengers were accommodated on Sunday night, and had replacement flights organised by 8.20am on Monday, according to the airline.”
- Not in the sourcesThe Pilbara is a mining hub.
- Not in the sourcesQantas runs regular services between Karratha and Perth.