Qantas plane diverted after suspected engine issue

A Qantas plane bound for Sydney from Queenstown in New Zealand has been diverted to Christchurch after flames appeared to sputter from the engine.

Flight QF122 was scheduled to fly back to Australia on Saturday afternoon.

Vision from the ground shows what appears to be several flames bursting intermittently out of the engine.

A Qantas spokesperson said the plane experienced an engine issue and has since landed safely.

“One of our flights to Sydney experienced a suspected engine issue after take-off from Queenstown this afternoon and the aircraft diverted to Christchurch,” the spokesperson said.

“Our pilots are highly trained to manage situations like this and the aircraft landed safely.

“We know this would have been a distressing experience for passengers and will be contacting all customers to provide support.”

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Passengers on board will be provided accommodation and re-accommodated on other flights.

Local media reported emergency services were waiting on the tarmac but all passengers disembarked safely.

Witness Mark Venning told New Zealand news website Stuff: “I was driving along Frankton Rd and heard the popping sounds, like loud gunshots.

“Looked up and saw orange flames being ejected from the left engine,” Venning said.

Brothers Daniel and Campbell Longmire told the publication they were sitting at home in Frankton when they saw the plane take off.

“Its left engine start spitting out flames and then I got everyone to go look because I thought it was a one-off thing,” Campbell said.

“And then it was flying over and it did like maybe six or seven flame bursts and loud bangs.”

Daniel said the explosions were so loud many of their neighbours ran out onto their balconies to watch.

“It was really loud, it really echoed around the valley,” he said.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Were you on the flight? Contact reporter Emily Bennett at ebennett@nine.com.au.