THIS is the scary moment a huge Boeing 747 spat flames out of its engine during a botched nighttime landing in New Zealand.
Dramatic pictures showed orange flames bursting from the jet as it flew in mid-air.
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The Boeing took off from Queenstown Airport on Monday evening before a bird struck it – sparking the unexpected fire.
Witnesses on the ground reported hearing “loud bangs” as it flew overhead just after 6pm.
One of the passengers said they could even feel the heat from inside the plane and saw it unfurling from their window.
The plane was soon diverted to Invercargill Airport where it made an emergency landing just before 7pm.
Pictures showed it on the runway with hordes of flashing lights around, presumably as airport workers raced to check on the flight and those onboard.
The passenger onboard posted online: “Trust me, I could ‘feel’ the flames as we took off.
It was making one hell of a pulsing/throbbing noise out of one engine then it was shooting flames out
Witness Nick Lambert
“I’m sitting just behind the wing on the right-hand side. Full view of the light show.”
The Virgin Airlines VA149, which was headed for Melbourne in Australia, reportedly flew into trouble shortly after taking off.
Six crew members and 67 passengers were onboard the flight.
The jet’s pilot apparently told passengers several birds had hit the engine on their way out of New Zealand.
Another passenger wrote on X: “Pilot confirmed us hitting several birds on the way out.
“We’re now sitting on the Invercargill runway as the fire crews check for damage.”
Local witness Nick Lambert told the New Zealand Herald: “It was making one hell of a pulsing/throbbing noise out of one engine then it was shooting flames out – maybe hit a bird?
“It continued climbing and the noise and flame stopped.”
Someone else who filmed the dramatic flight overhead described the strange noises as flames guttered from the engine.
They said: “Sounded like it was coming apart over our house. One engine was throwing flames and sputtering out.”
And a resident living near the Shotover Delta river – where the flames were erupted – said “A plane just passed our house with terrible sound and fire.
“Please pray for the plane and people inside, their safety.”
Virgin Airlines chief operations officer Stuart Aggs said: “Virgin Australia flight VA148 from Queenstown to Melbourne diverted to Invercargill Airport and landed safely following a possible bird strike on take-off this evening.
“The aircraft has been met by emergency services at Invercargill Airport. The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority.”
And a spokesperson for Queenstown Airport said: “Virgin Australia flight VA148 departed Queenstown Airport at 5.59pm, bound for Melbourne.
“It experienced an issue just after takeoff and has been diverted to Invercargill Airport.”
Just before 9pm, around two hours after it landed, all passengers were safely helped off the plane.
Stuart Aggs confirmed that miraculously no one onboard had suffered any kind of injury.
He added: “Our efforts are now focused on providing support for our guests and crew, as well as transporting and accommodating guests in Invercargill this evening and arranging for their earliest onward travel to Australia.
“We wish to express our appreciation for the support of Invercargill Airport, Emergency Services, local Air New Zealand team members and our crew onboard in helping to support tonight’s response effort.”
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