Sunday 21 May 2017

Sparks fly on Qantas A380


QANTAS A380-842 VH-OQG (CN 47)                   File Photo










A Qantas flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne has been turned around two and a half hours after take off when sparks were seen coming from an engine. The A380, VH-OQG (CN 47) was due in Melbourne this morning at 6.55am but the pilot was forced to turn the flight around mid-air after one of four engines on board failed. The flight crew of Qantas 94 shut down the number 4 engine and initiated a turn back about 07:35 UTC, and a normal landing was carried out at 02:56 am local time. (09:56 UTC).
Qantas confirmed the incident, saying pilots followed standard procedure in shutting down the engine and turning the flight around. It is understood one of the engines overheated, but did not catch fire. Loud noises may have been the sound of the engine being shut down. A replacement flight departed LAX at around 2.30pm on Saturday. The replacement flight, also in an A380 VH-OQB (CN 15), is expected to land in Melbourne about 10pm tonight. As I write this the flight is south of Nadi Fiji.
QANTAS A380-842 VH-OQB (CN 15)                  File Photo








One passenger, told News Limited he heard a loud noise as the engine failed. "There was an explosion from outside. We saw flames and sparks flying past the window," Mr Sudgen said. He said Qantas staff asked passengers to stay the night inside LAX as another flight could leave mid afternoon.


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