A Jetstar flight travelling from Canberra to the Gold Coast was forced to make an emergency return to Canberra Airport on Tuesday afternoon after experiencing what passengers described as a loud bang and engine failure shortly after takeoff.
Terrifying Moments Mid-Air
Flight JQ717, carrying 71 passengers and crew, departed Canberra Airport at approximately 3:35pm on Tuesday when the incident occurred. Witnesses aboard the Airbus A320 reported hearing a loud explosion-like sound followed by visible flames from one of the aircraft's engines.
One passenger described the moment as absolutely terrifying, telling reporters they saw orange flames shooting from the engine just minutes after takeoff. The aircraft immediately began circling back toward Canberra while the cabin crew prepared passengers for an emergency landing.
Emergency Response and Safe Landing
Emergency services were placed on high alert as the aircraft prepared to return to Canberra Airport. Fire trucks and ambulances lined the runway as the plane made its approach for what passengers feared would be a dangerous emergency landing.
Despite the frightening circumstances, the pilots successfully landed the aircraft safely at approximately 4:15pm, just forty minutes after the initial departure. All passengers and crew evacuated without injury, though many were visibly shaken by the experience.
Airline Response and Passenger Care
Jetstar immediately issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming that the aircraft had returned to Canberra due to a technical issue with one of the engines. The airline arranged alternative travel arrangements for all affected passengers, including transfers to later flights.
The aircraft involved has been grounded for comprehensive engineering assessments to determine the exact cause of the engine failure. Aviation safety investigators are expected to examine the engine components thoroughly to understand what caused the malfunction.
This incident marks another concerning event for Australian aviation safety following several recent high-profile emergencies. Passengers from the affected flight have praised the professionalism of the cabin crew and pilots during what could have been a catastrophic situation.
Aviation experts note that while such incidents are rare, modern aircraft are designed to safely operate even with one engine disabled. The successful return and landing of flight JQ717 demonstrates the effectiveness of pilot training and aircraft safety systems in managing such emergencies.
