‘Unusual smell’: Qantas flight forced to turn around, crew member taken to hospital

An “unusual smell” forced a Qantas flight to turn back to Sydney, with a crew member taken to hospital following the incident.

A cabin crew member has been taken to hospital after a Qantas flight was forced to be turned around following an “unusual smell”.

The QF163 took off from Sydney Airport about 6.45pm on Wednesday bound for New Zealand’s Wellington International Airport.

An ‘unusual smell’ was reported in the cabin (not pictured). Picture: iStock

However a Qantas spokesperson confirmed the plane was turned around about an hour into the flight due to an “unusual smell” in the cabin.

“A flight from Sydney to Wellington returned to Sydney after reports of an unusual smell in the cabin,” the spokesperson said.

As such the flight from Sydney to Wellington returned to Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ben Clark

It is understood an intial engineering assessment determined that the smell was caused by a product used while fixing a part in the galley area during routine maintence.

“The aircraft landed safely and will be checked by engineers before returning to service,” a Qantas spokesperson previously said.

“Customers will be provided accommodation and re-accommodated onto the next available flight.

“We apologise for the disruption to their journey and thank them for their understanding.”

It was not an emergency landing, but a “priority one“ as declared by the pilots.

It is understood the aviation fire service greeted the plane on landing in accordance with standard procedure.

It’s also understood a cabin crew member was taken to hospital following the incident to undergo medical checks as a precaution.

There were no reports of smoke in the cabin.

The plane had reportedly flown from Wellington to Sydney, as well as a return trip to Norfolk Island, prior to the incident on Wednesday, according to 7NEWS.

The aircraft has since returned to service.