Passengers aboard a Jetstar flight from Bali to Melbourne endured a heart-stopping ordeal after the aircraft suffered a catastrophic engine failure just minutes after takeoff, forcing a dramatic emergency return to Denpasar.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight JQ46, was climbing through the air on its journey to Melbourne on Tuesday when a thunderous bang echoed through the cabin, followed by violent vibrations. Terrified travellers reported seeing flames and sparks shooting from the engine, plunging the aircraft into a state of panic.
'It Sounded Like an Explosion'
One shaken passenger described the moment the crisis began. "There was a massive explosion sound and the whole plane started shaking violently. Everyone just looked at each other in complete fear—we honestly thought this was it," they recounted.
The pilots immediately announced an emergency, advising the cabin crew to prepare for a potential disaster. The aircraft, laden with fuel for the long-haul flight, was forced to dump kerosene over the ocean for nearly an hour to reduce its weight to a safe level for an emergency landing.
A Tense Return to Bali
After circling to burn fuel, the pilots executed a safe but tense landing back at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, to the immense relief of all on board. The aircraft was met by emergency services as a precautionary measure.
Jetstar has since apologised for the incident and is providing accommodation and meal vouchers to affected passengers while they work to get them on alternative flights. The airline confirmed the aircraft experienced a technical issue with one of its engines and will be thoroughly inspected by engineers.
The incident is a stark reminder of the rare but terrifying possibilities of air travel and is likely to be investigated by aviation authorities.
