Brisbane to Adelaide Qantas flight touches down in SA after emergency landing 40 mins into flight

Passengers say they are “relieved to be home” after a terrifying ordeal during an emergency landing on a flight bound for Adelaide.

A Qantas flight has safely landed in Adelaide after it made an emergency landing back to Brisbane Airport on Tuesday morning.

Flight QF1929 had left Brisbane Airport at 8.20am towards Adelaide before turning around 40 minutes into the flight due to a technical fault.

A brake malfunction has been determined as the cause for the emergency landing, as the captain announced to passengers that the brake lights had been triggered mid-flight.

Passenger Tudor Vasile said that the captain explained that with the brakes locked in place, the wheels would blow on impact when the landing gear went down, leading to their decision to turn back.

“It was five seconds out when they were saying emergency brace, brace and you could hear the Qantas hostess yelling brace, brace and everyone was,” he said.

Touching down at 4pm, the passengers exited into Adelaide Airport in a flurry after the panic of the morning.

John and Annette Taylor from Grange with their Grandkids Josh 8. Austin 5 and Lawrence 13 who were passengers on the Qantas flight. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Josh, 8, who was travelling with his two brothers, Lawrence, 13 and Austin, 5 from the Sunshine Coast, described the ordeal as “scary”.

They were reunited with their Grange-based grandparents at Adelaide Airport who were relieved to see their grandsons safe and sound.

They said they were “so happy” and would be accompanying their grandsons on their flight back.

Chelsea Frieske and mum Loueen Frieske from Salisbury Downs. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Passenger Chelsea Frieske, 20, said while she was “petrified”, her mother, Loueen, 53 remained calm and confident in the pilot and staff.

“These pilots have been doing this for years and you have to put your faith in the pilots,” Loueen said.

“They explained everything and re-ran all the emergency procedures. Everyone who wore glasses were told to take them off”.

A Qantas flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Brisbane

Passenger Heather White said she was “so relieved to be home”.

“We were an hour out and they made an announcement that there was an emergency situation and we’re returning to Brisbane”.

“We found out there was an issue with the brakes and that was disconcerting,” she said.

Ashley Scholz hugs her mum Heather White from Toronto, Canada. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“The scariest part is when you’re asked to take the position for impact so we were all a bit floored. That was stressful but the pilot was amazing”.

Passenger Kurt Gray described it as ‘eerie’ saying everyone went silent once the brace call came over the speaker.

“When it all started there was some scuffle in the cabin, but the cabin crew were really good. They just looked after everyone and said to remain calm,” Mr Gray said

“Everyone sort of expected the worst but it turned out to be a really smooth landing.”

The captain and cabin crew did an exceptional job and kept everyone really calm.”

Video footage from 4BC showed passengers distressed as they assumed brace position with air hostesses shouting “heads down, stay down” as they rerouted back to Brisbane.

The flight landed safely in Brisbane airport just before 10am, before passengers were boarded on a rescheduled flight back to Adelaide.

A Qantas spokesperson said the plane would be inspected following the incident.

“The aircraft landed normally and is being checked by engineers,” they said.

“We understand that this would have been a distressing experience for customers and we thank them for following the instructions of the crew.”

Originally published as Brisbane to Adelaide Qantas flight touches down in SA after emergency landing 40 mins into flight