A Qantas flight carrying about 160 passengers from Queenstown to Sydney was forced to divert to Christchurch on Saturday after experiencing a suspected engine issue shortly after takeoff, with witnesses on the ground reporting loud popping noises and bursts of flames.
Emergency Diversion and Safe Landing in Christchurch
Flight QF122 departed on time from Queenstown Airport at 3:25 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, bound for Sydney with 158 to 160 passengers and crew on board. Shortly after becoming airborne over New Zealand’s South Island, the 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 aircraft encountered trouble while climbing away from the alpine airport.
Flight-tracking data showed the plane remained in the air for just over an hour before touching down safely at Christchurch Airport at about 5:07 p.m. local time. The national carrier confirmed that the aircraft was cleared for a priority landing, noting that both engines remained operating throughout, with no engine shutdown or failure experienced during the flight.
A full emergency response was mobilized ahead of the arrival on the tarmac. Christchurch International Airport stationed firefighters as a standard precaution for any inbound aircraft experiencing trouble, while multiple ambulance resources from Hato Hone St John responded to the airport. Emergency services were stood down after it was confirmed that no one required medical assessment or treatment.
Witness Accounts of Flames and Loud Noises in Queenstown
Residents and bystanders on the ground captured video footage showing fire emerging out of the plane’s left engine as it gained altitude. Witnesses described a rapid succession of explosive sounds echoing across the valley below.
Mark Venning, who was driving along Frankton Road, told local media that he heard sharp popping noises before seeing orange flames. Sounded like gunshots,
Liam Aspinall told ABC News after noticing the flames approaching from a distance while having a drink with friends.
“This was kind of like rapid succession boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. And then it was loud enough that everyone kind of turned their heads and looked to see what the noise was.”
Nic Chamberlain, witness in Queenstown, via RNZ
Brothers Daniel and Campbell Longmire, sitting at home in Frankton, watched the aircraft climb. Campbell Longmire noted that the left engine initially began to spit flames once before producing roughly six or seven bursts accompanied by loud bangs. Daniel Longmire added that the explosions echoed so loudly that neighbours ran out onto their balconies to investigate.
Airline Response and Investigation Into the Cause
Qantas issued a statement addressing the incident, emphasizing the training of its flight crew and promising assistance to affected travelers who faced disruptions to their Saturday evening schedules.
“One of our flights to Sydney experienced a suspected engine issue after take-off from Queenstown this afternoon and the aircraft diverted to Christchurch. Our pilots are highly trained to manage situations like this and the aircraft landed safely. We know this would have been a distressing experience for passengers and will be contacting all customers to provide support.”
Qantas spokesperson, via RNZ and Nine News
The airline arranged accommodation and re-accommodated passengers onto alternative flights to complete their journeys.
The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand initially attributed the emergency event to a bird strike, but subsequently amended its statement to clarify that it could not confirm the cause at this stage and that an investigation remains underway.
