A Brisbane-bound Qantas flight returned to Sydney Airport shortly after take-off on Friday, landing safely at 1pm, due to an engine failure.
According to a Sydney Airport statement, the incident coincided with a grass fire near Sydney Airport’s parallel runway, although it’s not yet clear if the two are related.
Aviation Rescue teams quickly brought the fire under control, and Sydney Airport is inspecting the affected runway for a prompt return to service. Passengers were told to expect some delays.
“Sydney Airport’s main runway is operational, however passengers should also expect some delays and we thank everyone for their patience,” the airport said on social media.
“Passengers who are travelling today are also encouraged to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight.”
Meanwhile, Qantas engineers have completed an initial inspection of the B737 aircraft, operating as flight QF520, confirming the engine failure was contained with no explosion, though passengers may have heard a loud bang.
“One of our flights to Brisbane experienced a suspected engine failure after take-off from Sydney Airport this afternoon. After circling for a short period of time, the aircraft landed safely at Sydney Airport,” Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Richard Tobiano said.
“Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this and the aircraft landed safely after the appropriate procedures were conducted.
“We understand this would have been a distressing experience for customers and we will be contacting all customers this afternoon to provide support. We will also be conducting an investigation into what caused the engine issue.”
Affected passengers will be rebooked on alternate flights, and Qantas is contacting customers to provide support.
According to the ABC, the incident led to a temporary ground stop at Sydney Airport, with some flights held up and others returning to the terminal to refuel, causing delays of over an hour.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has begun investigating the engine failure incident.
The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) has praised the Qantas crew for its response to the emergency.
“Engine failures are extremely rare but Qantas pilots are exceptionally well trained to handle them with the utmost professionalism,” AIPA Safety and Technical Director Captain Steve Cornell said.
“In this instance the crew displayed remarkable skill, expertise, and composure in returning safely to Sydney and protecting everyone on board.
“The safety of passengers, crew, and cargo is always our highest priority.
“This incident demonstrates the value of having two well-trained and well-rested pilots on the flight deck as the most essential safety feature in aviation.”
