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| JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251 VH-OFQ (MSN 11189) |
The chaos began when the 8.30am Auckland (AKL/NZAA) to Queenstown (ZQN/NZQN) flight began its descent into Queenstown on Sunday.
It was soon aborted amid very severe turbulence as wind gusts of up to 150km/h hit New Zealand's South Island. The turbulence was so severe passengers were screaming, vomiting and some were even thrown from their seats.
An 18-year-old passenger on-board the flight told how 'all hell broke loose' as the plane descended through the winds. 'Everyone was just screaming and throwing up on the flight,' passengers said.
It was soon aborted amid very severe turbulence as wind gusts of up to 150km/h hit New Zealand's South Island. The turbulence was so severe passengers were screaming, vomiting and some were even thrown from their seats.
An 18-year-old passenger on-board the flight told how 'all hell broke loose' as the plane descended through the winds. 'Everyone was just screaming and throwing up on the flight,' passengers said.
'I was next to the wing, so I was looking out the window and all I saw was the wing flapping like a bloody feather. reported another passenger.'
The teenager likened the flight to a 'rollercoaster' and at one point feared it was going to crash.
'It was just wild; I have never experienced turbulence that bad in my life. It felt like a rollercoaster ride.'
Mr. Steele, a passenger on the flight, revealed that the turbulence got so bad, he and other passengers started saying goodbye to loved ones. 'All I could hear was the sounds of people being sick and that was with headphones on.'
'Everyone was just pretty shaken up and shocked,' he added.
Jetstar has issued an apology to affected customers, with flights across several airlines also impacted by the winds. 'Aircraft are designed to withstand turbulence far more severe than is ever encountered and pilots and crew are well practiced and trained to manage turbulence,' an airline spokesperson said.
'We sincerely apologise to customers for the disruption to their travel plans due to strong winds affecting Queenstown. 'Our teams are working to get customers to their destination as quickly as possible, however safety is our first priority.'
The teenager likened the flight to a 'rollercoaster' and at one point feared it was going to crash.
'It was just wild; I have never experienced turbulence that bad in my life. It felt like a rollercoaster ride.'
Mr. Steele, a passenger on the flight, revealed that the turbulence got so bad, he and other passengers started saying goodbye to loved ones. 'All I could hear was the sounds of people being sick and that was with headphones on.'
'Everyone was just pretty shaken up and shocked,' he added.
Jetstar has issued an apology to affected customers, with flights across several airlines also impacted by the winds. 'Aircraft are designed to withstand turbulence far more severe than is ever encountered and pilots and crew are well practiced and trained to manage turbulence,' an airline spokesperson said.
'We sincerely apologise to customers for the disruption to their travel plans due to strong winds affecting Queenstown. 'Our teams are working to get customers to their destination as quickly as possible, however safety is our first priority.'
Flights are generally delayed from taking off or landing if winds reach 65 km/h, however some passenger jets have been seen landing in winds of 90km/h.
Aircraft Information:Airline: Jetstar
Code: JQ/JST
Aircraft: Airbus A320-232
Registration: VH-VGQ
Serial Number: 4303
Engines: 2 x IAE V2527-A5
First Flew: 5th May 2010
Age: 13.5 Years
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