Today, November 8, a Qantas Airways flight bound for Brisbane experienced engine failure shortly after taking off from Sydney Airport. The Boeing 737, carrying passengers and crew, was forced to circle briefly before landing safely back at Sydney. According to eyewitness accounts, a loud bang was heard from one of the engines, causing concern among passengers. ABC journalist Mark Willacy, who was aboard, described the moment as a ‘sharp shudder,’ noting that the plane struggled to gain altitude following the loud noise.
According to media reports, upon landing, Qantas engineer conducted a preliminary inspection, which confirmed a contained engine failure. In such cases, internal engine components remain within the engine’s protective housing, reducing the risk of further damage to the aircraft. This is in contrast to an uncontained engine failure, where engine parts may escape the housing, potentially causing severe structural damage.
Flight tracking data showed that Qantas flight QF520 took off around 12:35 pm and circled briefly before its return to Sydney(Australia). Coincidentally, a grass fire ignited near a parallel runway around the time of the aircraft’s departure, though Sydney Airport officials managed to bring it under control quickly.
Airline officials have not confirmed any connection between the engine incident and the grass fire, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of both events. Airline assured that passenger safety was prioritized, with protocols in place for safe handling of such in flight emergencies.
