Jetstar flight forced to abort take-off after a latch on the plane left open

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OFQ (MSN 11189)

A Jetstar plane was forced to make an emergency stop on the runway just before takeoff after a latch on the aircraft was left open. The airline's JQ739 flight from Melbourne (MEL/YMML) to Launceston (LST/YMLT) on Saturday was reportedly 'barreling down the runway' when the pilot aborted the takeoff and brought the plane to an abrupt halt.

It's understood the door on a small communications panel on the underside of the plane near the wheels had been left open. Ground crew use the communication panel to connect their headsets.

'We were just barreling down the runway in Melbourne for takeoff and then the pilot literally slammed on the brakes because apparently air traffic control told them a door was open on the plane when they were trying to take off,' one passenger told reporters.

Another passenger said the pilot was warned about the latch by air traffic control seconds before they were about to takeoff.  'We were going for it on the runway, but we had to make an emergency stop. They slammed the brakes on. 

The aircraft originally started its take off roll at 2.46 pm local time but had to abort.  The aircraft taxied back to the gate and was on the ground for forty minutes.  It began its second taxi at 3.27 pm and departed at 3.41 pm, it landed in Launceston 46 minutes later 4.27 pm.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Jetstar

Code: JQ/JST

Aircraft: Airbus A320-232

Registration: VH-VQJ

Serial Number: 2703

Engines: 2 x IAE V2527-A5

First Flew: 15th February 2006

Age: 18.1 Years