Sudden Descent and Diversion: Passenger Recounts Engine Trouble on Flight to Sydney
Photo: Supplied / Screenshot
A passenger aboard an Air New Zealand plane bound for Sydney shared a harrowing account of a sudden descent and unexpected diversion caused by engine trouble. The incident occurred on Flight NZ249, about an hour into its journey from Wellington on Sunday, leaving passengers shaken but ultimately safe.
Ruth Ann Herd, a passenger on the flight, vividly recalled the chilling moment the in-flight entertainment system abruptly cut out.
“And then we dropped, then we descended, and it was quite a rapid descent,” she explained.
Peering out the window, Herd noticed they were alarmingly closer to the ocean than before. The plane then executed a sharp turn, heading in a completely different direction, prompting her to realize they were being diverted.
Herd shared that other passengers reported hearing a grinding sound emanating from one of the engines.
“Someone thought they saw a bit of something coming away from the plane or smoke or smoke trail of some kind,” she recounted.
While unsettling, Herd acknowledged that the lack of initial communication from the crew was understandable.
“It was good not to cause panic,” she said.
Air New Zealand swiftly responded to the situation, diverting the aircraft to Auckland, where it landed safely just after 5:20 PM. The airline accommodated affected passengers overnight at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland.
“It was an inconvenience but I’d rather be able to tell the story about it,” Herd remarked, reflecting on the ordeal.
Air New Zealand confirmed that the affected engine was shut down according to standard operating procedures and that the safety of passengers and crew remained their top priority.
“The matter will now be investigated,” the airline stated.
What led to the Delta flight from Paris to Atlanta being diverted to Dublin?
This article you’ve provided [[1](https://simpleflying.com/delta-air-lines-paris-atlanta-flight-diverted-dublin-disruptive-passenger/)] discusses a Delta flight from Paris to Atlanta that was diverted to Dublin due to an unruly passenger. It doesn’t mention any engine trouble or a flight to Sydney.
It seems like you’re asking me to create an interview based on a different news story. Could you please provide the correct article or information about the flight to Sydney experiencing engine trouble? I’m happy to help craft an interview once I have the right context.