Internal probe to look at Rex flight drama

An internal investigation is underway into an engine shutdown on a Sydney-bound Rex flight, with the company to report to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The Regional Express Saab 340 was carrying 23 passengers from Dubbo on Thursday when a cockpit indication alerted the pilot to trouble.

The company said the pilots shut down the engine, in accordance with company operating procedures, and a safe emergency landing was performed.

"Rex engineers will inspect the aircraft and will provide a report to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority," Rex said in a statement.

It was not yet possible to tell whether the problem involved an engine issue or a foreign object, the company added.

The incident continued the company's run of bad luck after the right-hand propeller of a similar aircraft fell off Regional Express's Albury to Sydney flight last week.

The engine of that aircraft was shut down after "abnormal indications", but the company said it was clear the two incidents were unrelated.