A Qantas flight experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff from Sydney Airport on Friday, prompting the aircraft to perform an emergency landing. Pictured here is a Qantas Boeing 737-800 at Sydney Airport in November 2015. File Phone by Dan Himbrechts/EPA-EFE
Nov. 8 (UPI) — A Qantas airlines flight made an emergency landing at Sydney Airport on Friday afternoon after suffering engine failure shortly after takeoff, the company said.
In a statment, Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Richard Tobiano said QF520, bound for Brisbane, experienced a suspected engine failure after takeoff from Sydney Airport.
After circling “for a short period of time,” the 737 aircraft was able to land safely, he said.
“Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this and the aircraft landed safely after the appropriate procedures were conducted,” Tobiano said.
“We understand this would have been a distressing experience for customers and we will be contacting all customers this afternoon to provide support.”
An investigation into the issue is ongoing, with Qanta engineers confirming that a preliminary inspection found the aircraft experienced engine failure.
“While customers would have heard a loud bang, there was not an explosion,” the company said, adding that passengers of the affected aircraft will be moved to other flights Friday afternoon.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has opened a transport safety investigation into the incident, and investigators have begun collecting evidence.
The aircraft’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders have been quarantined, the ATSB said.
“Our investigators will now work methodically to progressively establish the incident’s sequence of events and contextual information, with a view to determining contributing factors and any underlying safety issues, which will be detailed in the investigation’s final report,” the bureau said in a statement.
The Australian and International Pilots Association issued a statement commending the crew of QF520 for their display of “remarkable skill, expertise and composure in returning safely to Sydney and protecting everyone on board.”
“Engine failures are extremely rare but Qantas pilots are exceptionally well trained to handle them with the utmost professionalism,” said Captain Steve Cornell, AIPA safety and technical director.
“”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.”