CHRISTCHURCH- Australian flag carrier, Qantas Airways (QF) flight from Christchurch (CHC), New Zealand to Melbourne (MEL) forced to make a U-turn twice due to two separate incidents today (December 16, 2024).
The Qantas operated flight using its Boeing 737-800, registered as VH-VZR. Further, it is a 13.3-year-old aircraft powered by CFM 56-7B engines.
Qantas Flight Makes U-Turn Twice
The flight QF168, originally departing Christchurch at 6:46 am on Monday, encountered two separate technical challenges that required immediate intervention by the flight crew.
According to FlightRadar24 data, in the first incident, Qantas flight QF168 took off from CHC at 5:46 AM UTC. After being airborne for around 45 minutes, the flight made a U-turn due to issues with radio equipment. The flight landed safely at CHC at 7:27 AM UTC.
After a thorough examination and necessary maintenance by technicians and engineers, the flight took off a second time at 8:37 AM UTC. After being airborne for 40 minutes, the flight crew reported an unusual odor and following this decided to turn back again. The aircraft landed safely at CHC at 10:18 AM UTC.
After two back-to-back incidents, the Qantas flight took off the third time but instead of Melbourne, they decided to land at Auckland (AKL). From Auckland, another aircraft took passengers to Melbourne. This led to a delay of over 11 hours for passengers expecting to land at 8:00 AM local time and landed at 7:06 PM local time.
Qantas representatives said that the inconvenience caused to passengers, committing to re-accommodate travelers through alternative flight arrangements via Auckland.
The airline emphasized its dedication to passenger safety and minimizing travel disruptions, working diligently to resolve technical issues and facilitate passenger journeys.
Similar Foul Odor Diversions
On December 13, 2024, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight KL685 diverted to Bermuda during a transatlantic flight due to an unprecedented live pig cargo issue. The aircraft, en route from Amsterdam to Mexico City, encountered a critical problem six hours into its journey.
Pilots contacted air traffic control, reporting an overwhelming odor from 100 live pigs in the cargo hold that compromised the cockpit’s oxygen environment. The captain communicated the situation was non-emergent but required immediate intervention.
After entering a holding pattern near Bermuda’s coast, the flight received clearance to land. Airport personnel systematically removed the pigs, placing them under veterinary supervision in a secure location. The strong animal odor had rendered the cargo environment completely unmanageable for the crew.
The unexpected diversion necessitated accommodations for 259 passengers and crew members. Local hotels provided temporary lodging while technical teams addressed the cargo issue. The flight eventually departed Bermuda late Saturday night, reaching Mexico City early Sunday morning.
Similarly, a Delta Air Lines flight encountered an emergency during its departure from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on October 29, 2024. Flight DL2133, an Airbus A321 heading to LaGuardia Airport, experienced a critical cockpit issue shortly after takeoff.
The flight crew detected a foul odor in the cockpit, prompting an immediate emergency declaration. Pilots executed a precise U-turn, landing safely back at the original airport at 7:24 AM local time. The aircraft taxied to terminal D, where 121 passengers and six crew members disembarked without incident.
Federal Aviation Administration investigators began examining the unexpected diversion. Delta Air Lines confirmed the crew’s swift response to the cabin odor, prioritizing passenger safety. The airline quickly arranged a replacement aircraft to continue the journey to New York.
Delta’s spokesperson told Aviation A2Z that the standard safety protocol was implemented during the incident. The airline committed to re-accommodating passengers on an alternative flight, minimizing travel disruptions caused by unexpected technical challenges.
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