New Year’s Eve flight forced to make emergency landing at Brisbane Airport

A Qatar Airlines flight with 300 passengers on board has been forced to make emergency landing at Brisbane Airport.

The 300-passenger Doha flight was forced to land back at Brisbane Airport shortly after takeoff. Picture: File photo

A Qatar Airlines flight from Brisbane with 300-odd passengers on board was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff following a mechanical issue.

The Boeing 777 departed from Brisbane Airport about 11pm Saturday and returned to the gate safely about an hour later.

A Brisbane Airport spokesman confirmed the QR899 aircraft took off from Brisbane and returned to the gate.

It was understood about 300 passengers and crew were on board.

Unconfirmed reports suggested the flight had been turned around after a passenger “noticed something white on the wing”, according to a passenger who posted to Twitter.

“This was my flight. Passengers noticed something white hanging, coming off the right wing,” the man posted.

“Pilot came and took a look through passenger windows, shining a torch onto the wing. Seatbelt sign was never turned off, and we headed back to Brisbane.”

Qatar Airlines have been approached for comment.

Originally published as New Year’s Eve flight forced to make emergency landing at Brisbane Airport