Qantas flight diverted to Christchurch after engine flames captured on video; passenger recounts 'loud bang' and 'a lot of screaming'

Flight QF122, a Boeing aircraft, departed the alpine ski town just before 3:30pm on Saturday and was scheduled to land at Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport at 4:50pm. Footage provided to the ABC shows the plane's left engine emitting flames as it climbed above New Zealand's South Island.

A Qantas spokesperson confirmed the incident was a "suspected engine issue" and said the aircraft was cleared for a priority landing at Christchurch. "Our pilots are highly trained to manage situations like this and the aircraft landed safely," they said, adding that both engines remained operating throughout, with no engine shutdown or failure experienced.

In new details reported by the Guardian via Australian Associated Press, passenger Liza-Jayne Loch, who was returning home from a business trip, described the moment the flight ran into trouble. "There was a loud bang," she said, recalling the cabin lights flickering and hearing "a lot of screaming" as the plane climbed above the South Island's mountain ranges.

Liam Aspinall, who filmed the flames from the ground in Queenstown, told the ABC he noticed the flames approaching from a distance. "I noticed flames appearing to come off the thing as it was approaching us from afar," he said. "Sounded like gunshots, [it] was loud."

Support is being provided to passengers, the Qantas spokesperson said, in recognition of what "would have been a distressing experience." Passengers are being offered accommodation and help with alternative flights.

The incident comes after a previous Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney experienced a similar diversion due to an engine issue, though no further details on that earlier event were provided in source material.

Why This Matters

Passenger safety: This incident, while handled safely, raises questions about the reliability of Boeing aircraft engines on a popular trans-Tasman route used by thousands of travellers annually.
Qantas reputation: The national carrier's safety record is a key part of its brand. Any engine fire event, even one managed well by pilots, can dent public confidence and attract regulatory scrutiny.
Regulatory follow-up: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority may investigate the cause of the suspected engine issue, which could lead to maintenance or operational changes.

Background

Saturday's incident is the latest in a series of engine-related diversions involving Qantas flights on the Queenstown-Sydney route. Engine fires, though rare and often managed safely by flight crews, are among the most alarming in-flight emergencies for passengers. The aircraft involved was a Boeing model; both engines remained operational throughout the diversion to Christchurch. Qantas has not yet confirmed the specific engine type or any prior issues with this airframe.

Key Perspectives

Qantas: The airline emphasises that pilots were highly trained and the aircraft landed safely with both engines operating. It is providing support and accommodation to passengers, framing the event as a well-handled precautionary diversion. Passengers: Those onboard, like Liza-Jayne Loch, report a terrifying experience involving a loud bang, flickering cabin lights and screaming. Their accounts underscore the emotional toll of such incidents, even when the outcome is safe. Critics/Skeptics: Some may question whether sufficient maintenance checks were performed on the aircraft before departure given this is not the first such incident on this route. Others may note that aviation authorities have not yet commented on whether an investigation will be launched, leaving unanswered questions about the root cause.

What to Watch

Official investigation: Whether the ATSB or New Zealand CAA opens a formal investigation into the engine issue.
Qantas maintenance disclosures: Any updates from Qantas about the specific aircraft's maintenance history or engine type.
Passenger compensation: How Qantas handles compensation or support for traumatised passengers, particularly those who may have missed connections in Sydney.
Broader safety implications: If the engine issue turns out to be a design or manufacturing defect, it could affect other Boeing aircraft in the fleet.

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