An engine malfunction was reported on QF144 between Auckland and Sydney.
A Qantas flight between Auckland International Airport (AKL) and Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) has issued a ‘mayday’ call due to reports of an engine malfunction.
QF144 was scheduled to depart from Auckland at 13:35, eventually departing at 14:30. The aircraft issued the mayday call at 16:10 (NZDT GMT+13), finally landing at 15:26 AEST (17:26 NZDT). Qantas released this statement:
“Qantas Flight 144, a 737 flying from Auckland to Sydney, experienced an issue with one of its engines about an hour from its destination”
‘Mayday’
The mayday call reports an engine failure, and police, fire, and ambulance met the aircraft on arrival at Sydney airport as a precaution. Over 100 passengers are said to be on the flight.
One hour before the aircraft was due to land, the pilot issued the mayday call. A Qantas spokesperson stated to 7News:
“(the aircraft) experienced an issue with one of its engines about an hour from its destination”.
Photo: Ryan Fletcher/Shutterstock
Aircraft in question
The Boeing 737-800, registration VH-XZB joined the airline in September 2012 and is a workhorse for the Qantas fleet operating daily across the Tasman Sea.
Reports state that over 130,000 people tracked the flight on Flightradar24.com, the most tracked flight on the platform.
Revoked mayday before landing
The pilot revoked the mayday call just before landing, being reissued as a PAN (possible assistance needed), and the aircraft landed safely at Sydney.
Passengers are currently being offloaded from the aircraft.
Pilot training
Irene King, a New Zealand aviation commentator, commented on the incident and that pilots are ”absolutely trained’‘ to operate the Boeing 737-800 in these scenarios.
The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) advises that ‘A mayday call is made when the aircraft is in a condition of being threatened by serious and/or imminent danger and is requiring immediate assistance.’
Qantas 737 trans-Tasman
The Australian flag carrier operates the Boeing 737 on the majority of its trans-Tasman network, operating the aircraft from:
- Brisbane (BNE) to Auckland (AKL)
- Brisbane (BNE) to Christchurch (CHC)
- Brisbane (BNE) to Queenstown (ZQN)
- Melbourne (MEL) to Auckland (AKL)
- Melbourne (MEL) to Wellington (WLG)
- Melbourne (MEL) to Christchurch (CHC)
- Melbourne (MEL) to Queenstown (ZQN)
- Sydney (SYD) to Auckland (AKL)
- Sydney (SYD) to Wellington (WLG)
- Sydney (SYD) to Christchurch (CHC)
- Sydney (SYD) to Queenstown (ZQN)
The aircraft occasionally operates its Airbus A330 on various New Zealand routes subject to demand.
Sources: Australian Aviation, 7 News, New Zealand Herald
Qantas
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- QF/QFA
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Brisbane Airport, Melbourne Airport, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1920
- Alliance:
- oneworld
- CEO:
- Alan Joyce
- Country:
- Australia
-
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- SYD/YSSY
- Country:
- Australia
- CEO:
- Geoff Culbert
- Passenger Count :
- 44,446,838 (2019)
- Runways :
- 07/25 – 2,530m (8,300ft) |16L/34R – 2,438m (8,000ft) |16R/34L – 3,962m (13,000ft)
- Terminals:
- Terminal 1 |Terminal 2 |Terminal 3
