A Qantas Boeing 737-800 operating flight QF122 from Queenstown to Sydney diverted safely to Christchurch Airport on Saturday, September 5, 2026, after experiencing an engine issue and shooting flames shortly after takeoff, according to reports. The aircraft, registered as VH-VZQ, landed without injury to the 158 passengers and crew onboard, meeting a full emergency response on the tarmac.
Flight QF122 Incident Details and Emergency Landing
Flight QF122 departed Queenstown Airport at approximately 4:05 p.m. local time, running about 40 minutes behind its scheduled 3:25 p.m. departure, according to flight-tracking data. Shortly after takeoff, witnesses on the ground reported hearing a series of loud bangs resembling gunshots or sharp popping noises before observing orange flames and fireballs coming from the aircraft’s left engine. Passenger accounts gathered by Chris Lynch Media describe hearing four to five consecutive explosions coinciding with the flames. Nic Chamberlain, speaking to Radio New Zealand (RNZ), characterized the noise as a “rapid succession boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.” Following the incident, the 15-year-old narrowbody jet diverted to Christchurch Airport instead of continuing its trans-Tasman route to Sydney, touching down safely at approximately 5:07 p.m., according to flight-tracking records.
Official Airline and Airport Responses
Qantas confirmed in a public statement that the aircraft experienced a “suspected engine issue” following departure from Queenstown. “Our pilots are highly trained to manage situations like this and the aircraft landed safely,” the airline stated, acknowledging that the event was a “distressing experience for passengers.” Qantas added that it would contact all affected customers to provide support, arrange accommodation, and rebook them on alternative services. A Queenstown Airport spokesperson confirmed the diversion shortly after departure, noting that both Queenstown and Christchurch airports remained fully operational with no major interruptions to scheduled services. Prior to the Christchurch landing, Qantas initially evaluated diverting to Invercargill Airport—the southernmost controlled airport in the Commonwealth—before selecting Christchurch as the destination.
Emergency Services and Investigation Status
Christchurch Airport activated a full emergency response ahead of the flight’s arrival. St John New Zealand’s national ambulance service stated that it was notified at 4:25 p.m. and deployed multiple ambulance resources alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews to the tarmac as a standard safety procedure. All 158 passengers and crew disembarked safely with no reported injuries. Regarding the cause of the incident, initial reports from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) pointed toward a bird strike, though the CAA subsequently updated its position to clarify that an investigation remains ongoing to determine the exact cause of the engine failure.
Did You Know?
The aircraft involved in flight QF122, a Boeing 737-800 registered as VH-VZQ, originally entered service in August 2011 under Jetconnect, a New Zealand-based subsidiary of Qantas, before transferring to the Qantas mainline fleet in November 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the engine issue on Qantas flight QF122?
The New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority is currently investigating the cause of the incident. While a bird strike was initially suggested by authorities, officials later clarified that the official investigation into the engine failure is ongoing, and Qantas has described the event as a suspected engine issue.
Were there any injuries reported during the emergency landing?
No injuries were reported among the 158 passengers and crew members onboard the Boeing 737-800 following its safe landing in Christchurch.
Where was the flight headed before the diversion?
The aircraft was operating a scheduled international service from Queenstown Airport in New Zealand to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in Australia before diverting to Christchurch.
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