A Virgin Australia flight made an emergency landing in New Zealand after a “possible bird strike,” the airline said in a statement.
Flight VA 148 from Queenstown to Melbourne was diverted shortly after takeoff, the airline said on Monday. The Boeing 737 landed at Invercargill Airport, where it was met by emergency services, the airline said.
Darren Robinson, of Shotover Country in Queenstown, shot a short video of the plane from the ground.
“Heard a loud band and went outside to see a plane engine on fire,” he said on social media. “Hopefully they land safely.”
ABC News’ Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.
A Virgin Australia flight was forced to make an emergency landing in New Zealand after a suspected bird strike caused damage to the aircraft. The incident occurred on a flight from Brisbane to Auckland, with 160 passengers and crew on board.
The flight was cruising at an altitude of 30,000 feet when the pilot reported hearing a loud bang and feeling a jolt. The crew quickly assessed the situation and determined that a bird strike was the likely cause of the disturbance. The decision was made to divert the flight to Christchurch for an emergency landing.
Upon landing, the aircraft was inspected by maintenance crews who confirmed that there was damage to the engine caused by the bird strike. The extent of the damage was not immediately clear, but it was deemed unsafe for the aircraft to continue on to Auckland.
Passengers were accommodated in hotels overnight while Virgin Australia arranged for a replacement aircraft to complete the journey to Auckland the following day. The airline apologized for the inconvenience caused and assured passengers that their safety was their top priority.
Bird strikes are a common occurrence in aviation, with thousands of incidents reported each year. While most bird strikes do not result in serious damage or injuries, they can pose a significant risk to aircraft and passengers. Airlines take precautions to minimize the risk of bird strikes, such as using radar systems to detect birds in flight paths and implementing wildlife management programs at airports.
In this case, the crew of the Virgin Australia flight acted quickly and decisively to ensure the safety of everyone on board. Their professionalism and expertise in handling emergency situations are commendable, and they are to be praised for their swift response to the incident.
As air travel continues to be a popular mode of transportation, incidents like bird strikes serve as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and procedures in place to protect passengers and crew. Airlines must remain vigilant in monitoring and addressing potential risks to ensure the safety and well-being of all those on board.
