Qantas flight issues mayday alert and drops height after engine fails

18 January 2023 , 04:00

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A Qantas flight heading across the Pacific has issued a mayday alert (Image: Getty Images)

A Qantas flight heading across the Pacific to Sydney in Australia made a mayday call with one of its engines having failed.

There are thought to have been more than 100 people on board flight QF144 that was coming from Auckland in New Zealand.

It landed at around 3.30pm local time at Sydney airport and there were some smiling faces as passengers made their way through arrivals.

They reportedly said that the pilot announced during the flight there were engine problems but not that a mayday call had been made.

New South Wales Ambulance service confirmed paramedics were awaiting the arrival of the plane before it arrived.

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The flight tracked as it made its way to Sydney airport

The plane made a mayday call due to engine malfunction and the plane was heading to Sydney using one engine while it was flying at 20,000 feet rather than the normal 36,000 feet.

A woman, who was visiting from the UK, reportedly told NCA NewsWire that the pilot had said there was an "engine problem" but not that a mayday call had been issued.

Another passenger, reported news.com.au, said: “We didn’t know anything at the time but we’re here safe. When they said we could turn on our phones, I turned on my phone and my wife had called about 18 times.

"It’s a debate about whether it’s better to know or not to know."

A Qantas spokesperson said the flight “experienced an issue with one of its engines about an hour from its destination”.

They added: “It is now due to land in Sydney around 3.30pm and, in line with standard procedure, will be met by emergency services.

“While a mayday was initially issued, this has now been downgraded to a Pan (possible assistance needed). We will share more information about this incident once the aircraft is on the ground and has been assessed by our engineers.”

The plane was delayed at Auckland airport for 55 minutes before it took off. It was a Boeing 737-838, which has twin engines but can fly on just one.

“As a precaution, Sydney Airport has emergency crews on standby with fire crews, police and paramedics on the ground,” a representative for Sydney Airport reportedly said before the plane's arrival.

Tim Hanlon