Watch: Flames Seen from Boeing Aircraft After Take Off

A Boeing plane was forced to make an emergency landing after fire was seen coming from the aircraft as it flew over Queenstown, New Zealand.

Local emergency services told Newsweek that they attended the scene after flames “were reported to be coming from one engine”.

The Virgin Airlines Boeing 737, which was flying from Queenstown, New Zealand to Melbourne, Australia was diverted to Invercargill Airport.

Members of the public reported seeing flames apparently coming from one of the engines, although Virgin airlines later suggested the fire had been caused by a “possible bird strike”.

Newsweek has reached out to representatives from Boeing for comment.

Virgin Australia Chief Operations Officer Stuart Aggs told Newsweek that: “Virgin Australia flight VA148 from Queenstown to Invercargill Airport and landed safely following a possible bird strike on take-off this evening.”

He added that the aircraft “has been met by emergency services at Invercargill Airport. The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority.”

“At this time, we are not aware of any physical injuries to guests or crew. Emergency services personnel are on the ground at Invercargill airport,” he said.

Aggs added: “The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 registered VH-YIV, departed Queenstown at approximately 6pm local time and landed safely at Invercargill at approximately 6.50pm. There were 67 guests and 6 crew on board.”

“We wish to express our appreciation for the support of Invercargill Airport, Emergency Services, local Air New Zealand team members and our crew onboard in helping to support tonight’s response effort,” he said.

A spokesperson for Fire Emergency New Zealand told Newsweek: “Fire and Emergency crews responded to Invercargill airport this evening after reports that an aircraft had diverted from Queenstown airport around 6pm. Flames were reported to be coming from one engine.

“Fire trucks from Invercargill and Kingswell attended along with Invercargill airport’s fire crew and supported by a command unit. The aircraft landed without issue and the Fire and Emergency crews have all left the scene.”

Queenstown Airport issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. The statement read: “Virgin Australia flight VA148 Queenstown Airport at 5.50pm, bound for Melbourne. It experienced an issue just after take-off and has been diverted to Invercargill Airport. We will provide further updates as information becomes available.”

An update was then provided, which read “UPDATE, 6.55pm: The aircraft has landed safely at Invercargill Airport.”

Invercargill Airport is approximately 115 miles away from Queenstown Airport.

According to reports, the issues and subsequent fire were caused by bird strike.

A post on X from the SVS News Agency stated that, “Another Boeing 737 Engine Catches Fire.”

The post continued, stating that “Virgin Australia flight (VA 148) left from Queenstown, originally bound for Melbourne, apparently hit birds, setting the engine on fire.”

“Eyewitnesses from the ground say that they heard loud noises from the plane and saw an engine sparking.”

This is the latest in a series of incidents involving Boeing Planes.

In January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 had to make an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon after a piece of the fuselage blew out mid-flight.

In March, a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 had to make an emergency landing after a tire fell off the plane following take off from San Francisco.

Also in March, a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 experienced a severe technical failure during a flight from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand. This incident resulted in injuries to 50 passengers.

So far in 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration has grounded approximately 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. This decision came after the incident involving the Alaska Airlines flight.

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