Emirates plane flew 14 hours to Brisbane with hole on side

Passengers reportedly heard a loud bang soon after takeoff and were surprised at what was found on the side of the plane after landing in Brisbane.

Emirates passengers reportedly heard a loud bang soon after takeoff – and saw the hole in the side of the plane on landing 14 hours later in Brisbane. Picture: Twitter/JacdecNew

Passengers on an Emirates flight from Dubai to Brisbane have described the journey as “terrifying” after hearing a loud bang shortly after takeoff.

When the Airbus A380 landed at Brisbane International Airport on July 1 after a 14-hour flight, a gaping hole was discovered in its side, just under the wing.

Passengers aboard the EK40 flight were shocked the jet had flown such a distance with the hole in its fuselage, but an Emirates spokesperson told news.com.au “the aircraft landed safely in Brisbane and all passengers disembarked as scheduled”.

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When Airbus A380 left Dubai for Brisbane, passengers heard a loud bang not long after takeoff. Picture: Twitter/JacdecNew

The crew reportedly advised air traffic control they suspected to have blown a tyre during takeoff and requested emergency services on standby for the landing.

An English passenger on-board the flight took to Twitter to explain what had happened, describing it as “absolutely terrifying” at first.

“Cabin crew knew something serious may have happened – were immediately in contact with the cockpit,” Professor Andrew Morris said in the tweet.

“Shortly after, they resumed as normal. Their calm demeanour was reassuring – they knew it was not catastrophic.”

A gaping hole was discovered in the side of the plane when it arrived in Brisbane. Picture: Twitter/JacdecNew

Another passenger, Patrick, who was said to be seated near the hole on the flight, claimed to have heard a loud bang before feeling the puncture through the floor.

“The cabin crew remained calm, stopped the food service and got on the phone and checked the wings, engines,” he told the Courier Mail.

That's a High tech equipment. The flight dash board would tell u of any sinister issues pending . That's why the pilots carried on with the flight . I dont think they were in the kamikaze mood .

— ac@ec (@acec17823379) July 4, 2022

Another passenger claimed to have heard a loud bang 45 minutes into the flight, but said the rest of the flight including landing felt “fine” and was surprised to discover the hole upon arriving in Brisbane.

The plane was unable to depart for its return flight and remained on the tarmac in Brisbane for about 17 hours after landing.

Was also on this flight. Was absolutely terrifying at first and the cabin crew knew something serious may have happened - were immediately in contact with the cockpit. Shortly after, they resumed as normal. Their calm demeanour was reassuring - they knew it was not catastrophic.

— Andrew Morris (@AndrewMorris203) July 3, 2022

An Emirates spokesperson told news.com.au the aircraft experienced “a technical fault”.

“One of the aircraft’s 22 tyres ruptured during cruise, causing damage to a small portion of the aerodynamic fairing, which is an outer panel or the skin of the aircraft,” the spokesperson said.

“At no point did it have any impact on the fuselage, frame or structure of the aircraft.”

The spokesperson told the publication the aircraft landed safely in Brisbane and all passengers disembarked as scheduled.

“The fairing has been completely replaced, checked and cleared by engineers, Airbus and all relevant authorities. The safety of our passengers and crew has always been our top priority.”