International Qantas flight bound for Melbourne forced to turn back twice

An international Qantas flight bound for Melbourne was forced to turn back twice after pilots reported problems with the aircraft.

A Qantas flight bound for Melbourne was forced to return to Christchurch twice after pilots reported problems with the aircraft.. Picture: Brendan Radke

An international Qantas flight bound for Melbourne was forced to turn back twice after pilots reported issues with the aircraft.

Flight QF168 departed Christchurch Airport about 6.46am on Monday and was two hours into its journey when pilots chose to return to the New Zealand city.

Pilots reported an issue with the Boeing 737’s radio and returned to Christchurch where the plane landed normally and was inspected by engineers.

Pilots reported an issue with the aircraft’s radio and elected to return to Christchurch were it was fixed and cleared to return to service, shortly after the plane took off a second time an unusual smell was reported in the cabin. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Clark

A Qantas spokesman said engineers fixed the issue and the aircraft was cleared for take off before it returned to service.

The plane departed from the Christchurch Airport a second time, but shortly after take off an unusual smell was reported in the cabin.

“The pilots followed standard procedures and returned to Christchurch where the plane landed normally,” a Qantas spokesman said.

“Engineers are inspecting the aircraft to determine the cause of the smell.”

A spokesman said passengers on board the aircraft were being sent to Auckland, where they would be accommodated on other flights and return to Melbourne today.