Urgent investigations are currently in progress following a harrowing incident involving a Qantas flight, which suffered engine failure shortly after take-off, necessitating a dramatic return to Sydney Airport.
Shortly after the aircraft entered the sky, pilots issued a “pan-pan” call—an international signal indicative of distress but less critical than a “mayday”—alerting air traffic control to the unfolding emergency on Friday.
Thanks to the skilled actions of the flight crew, the aircraft was successfully redirected back to the airport, landing safely without any injuries reported among the passengers or crew members onboard.
This unsettling engine failure ignited a grassfire adjacent to one of the airport’s runways and resulted in significant flight delays affecting numerous travelers.
Emergency services were on stand-by after QF520 was forced to make an emergency landing. (ABC News)
What happened?
Immediately following take-off, as the wheels of QF520 left the tarmac, passengers were jolted by a deafening “loud bang” echoing through the cabin.
According to passenger and ABC journalist, Mark Willacy, the unsettling noise was compounded by the aircraft’s desperate struggle to gain altitude.
Qantas officially confirmed that the flight, bound for Brisbane, experienced what is categorized as a “contained engine failure,” raising concerns about aviation safety.
Professor Ron Bartsch, a distinguished authority on aviation safety and chairman of Avlaw, emphasized the rarity of such engine failures, stating they can potentially lead to catastrophic scenarios if not managed correctly.
According to Professor Bartsch, “Numerous things could have caused the occurrence, such as a turbine blade could have detached, or a compressor blade could have detached,” which would pose a serious threat to the aircraft’s integrity.
If a blade detaches, it essentially just destroys the engine by traversing through the latter sections, compounding the danger to the flight.
Professor Ron Bartsch said that plane engine failure was “very rare”. (Supplied)
Professor Bartsch lauded the exemplary response of the flight crew during this perilous moment.
He noted that historical data indicates a higher risk of fatalities occurring during the engine failure phase of take-off.
The critical phase of flight, especially when engines are spooling up to achieve take-off thrust, heightens the potential for catastrophic engine failure events.
“The fact it happened during this time means the crew were able to handle the situation very well,” he said, acknowledging their quick thinking.
ABC journalist’s blood ran cold during Qantas take-off emergency
As the plane took to the air, the aircraft had likely crossed “V1” or “decision speed”, a crucial threshold in the take-off process.
Once surpassing V1, pilots commit to take-off, rendering aborting the flight nearly impossible due to the increased speed and reduced runway length available.
“The most critical phase of flight for an engine failure to occur is at or near V1,” Professor Bartsch explained, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Passengers may have experienced a noticeable reduction in the aircraft’s ascent as it relied solely on one engine to climb.
What plane was involved?
The aircraft involved in this incident was a Boeing 737, a prominent workhorse within Qantas’ fleet, known for its reliability and efficiency.
This versatile aircraft operates both domestically and on international routes across New Zealand, Asia, and the Pacific regions.
Professor Bartsch indicated that Boeing 737-800s are widely utilized around the globe and have established themselves as a standard choice within Australia’s aviation sector.
While these modern jet aircraft come with a solid track record of reliability, Boeing has faced scrutiny in recent years due to safety concerns surrounding a newer generation of aircraft, including the 737 MAX model.
The troublesome 737 MAX, outfitted with its distinctive split winglets, has been involved in tragic accidents, with Lion Air Flight 610 in 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in 2019 resulting in the loss of 346 lives combined.
In January of this year, the 737 MAX model was thrust into another alarming incident when Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 suffered a mid-flight door failure; fortunately, no fatalities occurred.
It’s important to clarify that the ABC is not suggesting any correlation between the issues plaguing the 737 MAX and the recent engine failure experienced on QF520.
While Professor Bartsch acknowledged Boeing’s troubled past, particularly with the MAX model, he clarified that the issues in question are not applicable to the Boeing 737-800, which has proven itself as a reliable aircraft.
He expressed confidence in Qantas’ commitment to safety, stating that the airline has consistently maintained a commendable safety record.
“I don’t think Qantas’ safety record has ever come under criticism,” he noted, commending their effective staff response in managing this significant incident.
What caused the grassfire?
Footage of the flight’s emergency landing on QF520 captured significant attention as it circulated globally.
The visuals depicted the aircraft making its final approach alongside a large grassfire that erupted in close proximity to the runway from which it had just taken off.
Airservices Australia, responsible for managing firefighting teams at Sydney Airport, confirmed that the blaze was indeed sparked by the engine failure and was quickly brought under control.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating what happened on QF520. (ABC News)
Professor Bartsch explained that mechanical components ejected during the engine failure may have ignited the fire.
Given the high temperatures generated by turbine or compressor blades, which can reach around 800 degrees Celsius, any debris landing on combustible surfaces like grass could easily initiate a fire.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is actively looking into the precise circumstances surrounding the QF520 incident.
This comprehensive investigation is expected to unfold over the forthcoming months or possibly years, as the agency strives to deliver a thorough final report.
The recent incident involving Qantas flight QF520 unfolded as the aircraft experienced a “contained engine failure” shortly after take-off, raising alarms regarding aviation safety. Following a loud bang during ascent, the skilled flight crew swiftly executed emergency protocols, successfully returning the Boeing 737 to the airport without any injuries reported among the passengers or crew.
The engine failure ignited a grassfire near one of the airport’s runways and caused significant flight delays, impacting numerous travelers. Aviation safety expert Professor Ron Bartsch noted the rarity of such incidents but highlighted their potential for disastrous outcomes if mismanaged, especially during the critical take-off phase. He praised the crew’s response, attributing their quick thinking to averting what could have been a catastrophic situation.
Passengers aboard the flight described the unsettling experience, particularly as the aircraft struggled to maintain altitude while relying on a single engine. This incident coincided with a vital stage of flight, where pilots typically commit to take-off after reaching “V1” or “decision speed,” leaving little room for error.
Understanding the aircraft involved, the Boeing 737 is a standard model in Qantas’ operations, known for its reliability. While concerns have been raised regarding the newer 737 MAX model, which has been associated with tragic accidents, experts clarified that these issues do not pertain to the Boeing 737-800 involved in QF520’s emergency landing. Hence, the incident does not reflect a broader safety concern with Qantas or its fleet, which maintains a commendable safety record.
QF520’s emergency serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that can arise in aviation and the critical importance of trained professionals in ensuring passenger safety during emergencies.
