A Qantas Boeing 737-800 returning after sustaining an engine problem after takeoff is believed to have sparked a grass fire at a Sydney Airport earlier today.
Qantas flight QF520, operated by a Boeing 737-800, had conducted a departure from Sydney Kingsford Smith international airport, bound for Brisbane.
Passengers aboard the aircraft reported hearing a loud bang after takeoff, and feeling as though the aircraft was not gaining altitude.
Qantas Flight QF520 Engine Problem
The flight deck announced a problem with the right-hand engine approximately ten minutes later. Flight crew told passengers that the engine had been shut down as a precautionary measure.
Flight data shows that flight crew terminated the climb at 4,000 feet after takeoff. The aircraft was then placed in a holding procedure off the coast from Sydney. After a short period of holding, a direct return to Sydney Airport was carried out.
Qantas Statement
Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Richard Tobiano issued a statement into the incident, confirming the engine problem and subsequent actions.
“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.
“Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this. 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.”
Qantas engineers have now conducted a preliminary inspection of the engine and confirmed that it was a contained engine failure.
The aircraft conducting the QF520 service to Brisbane was a Boeing 737-800, registered VH-VYH. This is a 19 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the Australian national carrier. It has been operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in November 2005.
Grass Fire Near Runway
A statement issued by Sydney Airport confirmed that the flight’s departure coincided with a grass fire. This broke out near the parallel runway system.
“Earlier today a Brisbane bound flight made an emergency-return to Sydney Airport, landing safely just after 1pm. This departure of aircraft coincided with a grass fire along the eastern side of the airport’s parallel runway.”
Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service teams eventually brough the fire under control. Sydney Airport went on to clarify that they had not conclusively linked the two events as yet. “It’s not clear at this stage if the two incidents are linked and investigations are continuing.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has also confirmed that it is looking into “the engine failure incident involving a Qantas 737 aircraft during take-off from Sydney on Friday afternoon.”
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