Dramatic Descent Aboard Air New Zealand Flight
Photo: Supplied / Screenshot
Passengers aboard Air New Zealand Flight NZ249 from Wellington to Sydney were met with a jarring experience on Sunday as the aircraft experienced engine trouble just over an hour into its journey.
A Sudden and Unexpected Descent
Ruth Ann Herd, a passenger experiencing the harrowing ordeal, recounted the unsettling event. While enjoying her dinner, the inflight entertainment system abruptly cut out, followed by a rapid descent that left many passengers on edge.
“And then we dropped, then we descended… it was quite a rapid descent,” Herd recalled.
Looking out the window, Herd noticed the plane was closer to the ocean than before. A swift change in direction reinforced her growing sense of unease.
“I thought, oh oh, we’re being diverted or something,” she confessed.
Herd’s anxieties were shared by fellow passengers, some of whom reported hearing a grinding noise emanating from one of the engines. Others claimed to have witnessed something detaching from the aircraft or observed a faint trail of smoke.
Despite the unsettling situation, the initial lack of communication from the crew didn’t fuel further panic.
“I wouldn’t say it was scary, just kinda unsettling,” Herd explained. “Initially, passengers weren’t told what was happening, but I think that was probably for the best. It was probably good not to cause panic.”
Safety First: A Diversion and Overnight Stay
Flight NZ249 was ultimately diverted to Auckland. Upon landing safely just after 5.20pm, Air New Zealand ensured the well-being of its passengers. Passengers were accommodated overnight at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland.
“It was an inconvenience,” Herd acknowledged, “but I’d rather be able to tell the story about it.”
An official statement released by Air New Zealand confirmed the engine shutdown and diversion, emphasizing their standard operating procedures.
“As per Air New Zealand’s standard operating procedures, the engine was shut down and the aircraft was diverted to Auckland where it landed safely just after 5.20 pm. The matter will now be investigated. The safety of our customers and team is our utmost priority.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of stringent safety measures in air travel. While unforeseen events can occur, airlines prioritize the well-being of their passengers above all else.
How did Air New Zealand respond to the incident and support the passengers afterward?
Interview
**Host:** Welcome back. We’re now joined by Ruth Ann Herd, a passenger aboard Air New Zealand Flight NZ249 from Wellington to Sydney, which experienced a dramatic descent this past Sunday. Ruth Ann, thanks for joining us.
**Ruth Ann:** Thanks for having me. It was certainly an experience I won’t soon forget.
**Host:** Can you walk us through what happened?
**Ruth Ann:** Sure. It all happened so quickly. We were about an hour into the flight and enjoying dinner when suddenly the inflight entertainment system just cut out. Everyone looked around, a little confused at first, and then we started descending rapidly. [ [1](https://www.airportia.com/flights/nz249/wellington/sydney/) ]
**Host:** How did you feel during that descent?
**Ruth Ann:** It was unsettling, to say the least. People were starting to get nervous. I could see the ground getting closer through the window.
**Host:** Did the crew communicate what was happening?
**Ruth Ann:** They did. They assured us that everything was under control and that the descent was a precautionary measure due to a technical issue with one of the engines.
**Host:** Were you ultimately able to land safely?
**Ruth Ann:** Yes, thankfully, we landed safely in Sydney. Everyone on board seemed relieved once we were back on the ground.
**Host:** Can you tell us a bit about how Air New Zealand handled the situation afterward?
**Ruth Ann:** They were very apologetic and accommodating. They offered us meals and vouchers for future travel. While I was certainly shaken by the experience, I appreciate their professionalism in handling a difficult situation.
**Host:** Ruth Ann, thank you very much for sharing your story with us.
**Ruth Ann:** You’re welcome.