QANTAS Airways Boeing 747-438 VH-OJF (msn 24483) SYD (John Adlard) (involved in an incident), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

QANTAS Airways (Sydney) continues to have problems being reported by the media. The company issued this press release on the latest incident:

“The Boeing 747 operating QF Flight 1 from Bangkok to London Heathrow this morning (April 6) experienced a surge in one of its four engines shortly after take-off at 0100 local time (0400 Sydney time). Following procedures, the captain of the aircraft shut down that engine and carried out an air return to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, landing at approximately 0230 local time.

There was no safety issue at any stage – Boeing 747 aircraft can fly normally on three engines. Engine surges do not occur regularly, but are not an unknown event on jet aircraft. QANTAS pilots are trained to handle them if they occur.

A replacement aircraft is being flown to Bangkok from Sydney and the 335 passengers on board have been transferred to hotel accommodation. The revised departure time for the service from Bangkok to London Heathrow is 1850 local time (2150 Sydney time).

Engineers are examining the aircraft in Bangkok. The aircraft last underwent a maintenance check at QANTAS’ Avalon maintenance facility in March 2010.

QANTAS regrets the inconvenience caused. However, safety is our highest priority and we have full confidence in the actions taken by the flight crew operating the aircraft.”

The aircraft involved is believed to be the pictured Boeing 747-438 VH-OJF (msn 24483) at Sydney. Ironically the aircraft was delivered exactly 20 years ago today to QF. Copyright Photo: John Adlard.