Passengers onboard a flight from Perth to a northern West Australian town say they messaged loved ones “terrified” after being told to prepare for an emergency landing on Monday.
Sinead Campion was travelling on Qantas flight QF1624 to the Pilbara town of Paraburdoo with her 11-year-old daughter Lexi.
“As we’re flying, it felt almost like we were weightless, and we were kind of dipping and going up, dipping and going back up again,” she said.
She said cabin crew began clearing the cabin a short time later, and passengers were guided through practising the brace position.
Sinead Campion and her daughter Lexi were onboard Monday’s Qantas flight QF1624. (Supplied: Sinead Campion)
“We were told a bit later on to prepare for an emergency landing,” she said.
“I was absolutely terrified.
“I texted my husband a message … I had no signal, but I thought if I leave it to send a message and it’s on my phone then he can see.”
Michael Bray said passengers were in the brace position during the flight. (Suppled: Michael Bray)
Michael Bray was also on the flight with his young daughter.
“We were in the brace position for 15 to 20 minutes,” he said.
“My 10-year-old daughter was bawling her eyes out … I was just squeezing her as hard as could, holding her.”
Calls to replace aircraft
Following attempts to troubleshoot mechanical issues, the pilots safely diverted the aircraft to Geraldton, hundreds of kilometres from the original destination.
“Everyone was just so delighted when we did land because we did expect to be landing in a field,” Ms Campion said.
While Ms Campion praised the cabin crew’s professionalism, she said the aircraft used for the route needed to be replaced.
“We need some decent aeroplanes for the path from Perth to Paraburdoo and back,” she said.
Aircraft Fokker 100 currently operate on the QF1624 service.
Qantas flight diverted due to mechanical issues. (Supplied: flightradar24)
In a statement, Qantas subsidiary Network Aviation said the flight was diverted due to a mechanical issue with the autoflight system.
“We are now undertaking a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the mechanical issue,” chief pilot Evan Bartlett said in the statement.
Qantas did not respond to specific questions from the ABC about whether the aircraft used on the Perth to Paraburdoo route would be replaced.
Passengers were flown from Geraldton back to Perth late Monday night and Qantas said they were offered make up flights to Paraburdoo on Tuesday.
“We understand this was a distressing experience for those onboard and we sincerely apologise,” Mr Bartlett said.
“We’re in the process of contacting all customers to provide our support.”
Network Aviation said pilots requested a priority landing in Geraldton and that it was not an emergency landing.
