Liza‑Jayne Loch was on a Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney when the aircraft encountered a serious problem. While climbing over the South Island’s mountain ranges on Saturday afternoon, a sudden bang shook the cabin and lights flickered.
Passengers near the left wing saw flames erupt from the engine in rapid bursts, captured on a passenger’s footage and shared with the Associated Press. Loch recalled the engine “on fire” and the frantic screams that followed. She later noted that the crew remained calm and that the aircraft continued to climb, reassuring passengers that modern jets can land safely on a single engine.
The Boeing 737, identified as flight QF122, touched down at Christchurch about 52 minutes after take‑off, just before 5 p.m. local time. Both engines are believed to have remained operational throughout the flight. Qantas dispatched two engineers to Christchurch on Sunday to investigate the incident.
A Qantas spokesperson said the pilots were highly trained to manage such emergencies and that the aircraft landed safely. The airline will provide support to affected customers, noting that passengers were accommodated in a hotel near the airport and rebooked on a complimentary flight to Sydney.
Loch said the experience was traumatic, crying when she disembarked in Sydney. She described the emotional toll of the event, despite the crew’s professionalism and the eventual safe landing.
