Planes Diverted to Newcastle Airport Following Engine Failure and Fire In Sydney

newy.com.au – Emergency diversions saw multiple flights bound for Sydney redirected to Newcastle Airport on Friday afternoon, following a mid-air engine failure on a Qantas flight. The diversion of several aircraft created a flurry of activity at Newcastle, as Sydney Airport faced both the engine incident and a significant grassfire near one of its main runways.

The drama began shortly before 1:00 pm when Qantas Flight QF520, a Boeing 737 carrying 174 passengers en route to Brisbane, experienced a right-engine failure shortly after take-off. Passengers reported hearing a loud bang, with some describing it as a sharp shudder that shook the plane. The pilots, trained for emergency scenarios, turned the aircraft back toward Sydney, where it landed safely after circling for some time.

Simultaneously, a grassfire ignited along the eastern perimeter of Sydney Airport, adding to the disruption. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, though authorities are examining if the engine failure might have contributed. Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service teams quickly brought the blaze under control, yet the airport was forced to delay operations, prompting further diversions to Newcastle and other airports.

Newcastle Airport issued a travel alert to passengers, advising that their facilities were fully operational and urging those affected to contact their airlines for updated flight information. The diverted flights injected an unexpected influx of passengers into Newcastle’s terminal, yet services continue as scheduled.

Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Richard Tobiano later assured the public that the airline is investigating the incident, stating, “Our pilots responded expertly, following established safety procedures, and landed the aircraft without incident.” The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has since launched an inquiry to determine the underlying cause of the engine malfunction and any associated safety issues.

Passengers impacted by the incident and subsequent diversions were advised to anticipate delays as Sydney Airport worked to restore full runway operations.