Passenger plane safely lands in New Zealand after engine fire

A passenger plane bound for Melbourne, Australia, made a safe landing at Invercargill Airport in New Zealand on Monday after a fire shut down one of its engines mid-flight, according to the nation’s fire service.
The aircraft made an emergency diversion to Invercargill following the engine fire, which occurred approximately 50 minutes after departing from Queenstown.Fire trucks were promptly deployed to meet the plane upon its arrival in Invercargill, ensuring a swift response to the emergency.
Lynn Crosson, shift supervisor for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, confirmed the coordinated efforts of emergency responders in meeting the aircraft as it landed safely.
Details regarding the cause of the engine fire and the number of passengers on board the aircraft are currently under investigation. Catherine Nind, spokesperson for Queenstown Airport, stated that this information is not immediately available.

Virgin Australia provided insight into the incident, suggesting that a possible bird strike may have been the cause of the engine fire. Further analysis will be conducted to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the event.
Queenstown, known for its picturesque alpine vistas and adventure tourism, attracts visitors from around the world. The successful handling of this emergency incident underscores the importance of effective safety measures and swift response protocols in the aviation industry, ensuring the protection of passengers and crew in times of crisis.