Qantas denies plane engine “blew up”

A Qantas flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne was turned back on Friday amid reports of engine failure.

Melbourne-bound Flight QF94 left LAX after 10pm local time on Friday, per news.com.au, with the 480 passengers on board expected to touch down 15 hours later at 7am local time.

However, a couple of hours into the trip, the pilot reportedly shut down one of the four engines on the Airbus A380, and turned back to LA.

Passengers took to social media, claiming the engine “blew up”, however Qantas has since denied this claim.

In a statement provided to Travel Weekly, a spokesperson said, “Reports that the engine was ‘on fire’ aren’t correct; passengers may have seen some sparks before it was safely shut down by the flight crew.

“Friday night’s QF94 A380 service from Los Angeles to Melbourne was turned back to LA because of an issue with one of the aircraft’s four engines.

“The pilots followed standard procedure, shut down the engine, and the flight landed normally in LA at around 3am local time on Saturday. Engineers are inspecting the aircraft.

“A replacement flight operated by a different aircraft landed in Melbourne on Sunday night, local time.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding.”

Some of the passengers took to Twitter to commend the Qantas staff, and because it’s social media, complain about the inconvenience to themselves.

Qantas flight #QF94 (A380 VH-OQB) from Los Angeles to Melbourne returned to Los Angeles earlier after engine #4 reportedly caught fire. pic.twitter.com/4AUdR1O2YH
— Brendan Grainger (@S118869) May 20, 2017

QF94 #qf94 plane engine blew up mid air, won’t be back in Melbourne, stuck in LAX pic.twitter.com/bagNhJtdao
— Data Toffee (@data_toffee) May 20, 2017

@qantas your pilot on #QF94 was amazing in getting us back! Not a very fun experience but absolutely professional.
— Anthony Spiteri (@anthonyspiteri) May 20, 2017

#QF94 redirected back to LAX due to blown engine. @QANTAS crew were fantastic ? pic.twitter.com/l7Uz50eWOo
— Larry (@larry_deee) May 20, 2017

When the engine catches fire on you #qantas flight so u have to turn around ?
— Becca Butler (@Becca1992) May 20, 2017

So my best friend just let me know how his #Qantas flight back to MEL from LAX had an engine burst into flames and had to be turned back ? ?
— Matteo Lake (@mattsfk) May 20, 2017

Image: Twitter

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