Boeing 737-800 Makes Emergency Landing in New Zealand After Engine Fire

A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 jet safely landed at an airport in Invercargill, New Zealand, on Monday, June 17, after an engine fire potentially caused by a bird strike forced the aircraft to divert. The flight, which was originally headed to Melbourne, Australia, had 67 passengers and six crew members on board.

The incident occurred shortly after the plane took off from Queenstown Airport. Flames were observed coming from one of the engines, leading to the emergency landing. Stuart Aggs, the airline’s chief operations officer, suggested in a statement that the fire might have been triggered by a bird strike, although further details about the event are still under investigation.

Catherine Nind, a spokesperson for Queenstown Airport, confirmed that no physical injuries were reported among the passengers or crew following the incident. The affected travelers were provided accommodations in Invercargill and arrangements for subsequent flights are being organized.

Queenstown is renowned as a major tourist destination in New Zealand’s South Island, attracting visitors with its skiing opportunities, adventure sports, and stunning alpine scenery. According to the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, bird strikes are relatively uncommon, occurring at a rate of about four in every 10,000 aircraft movements. The impact of such strikes varies depending on several factors including the location of the strike on the aircraft, the size of the bird, and the pilot’s response to the incident.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, seattletimes.com