Qantas landing leaves passengers sick and scared

OXYGEN masks fell from overhead and passengers started vomiting as a plane had to pull out of a landing at Darwin Airport to avoid another plane.

Landing leaves passengers sick

OXYGEN masks fell from overhead and passengers started vomiting as a plane had to pull out of a landing at Darwin Airport.

The Qantas Boeing 717 with 95 passengers travelling from Alice Springs to Darwin on Tuesday evening was about to land when it suddenly had to gain altitude to avoid a departing Virgin flight delayed on the runway.

A source, who declined to be named, said: “A few people were frightened.

“They were getting real close to the ground and it felt like the wheels were down and then next thing you know they were climbing real quick and the masks were down and people were spewing.

“The pilot said another plane was taking off.”

Defence operates air traffic control at Darwin Airport.

READ: QANTAS CUTS FLIGHTS TO STRUGGLING TOWN

An unattributed statement from Defence confirmed traffic control “sent around” QJE1938 before landing.

“QJE1938 was sent around by air traffic control to maintain the safe separation of aircraft, due to a delay by the preceding Virgin aircraft in takeoff,” the statement said.

“This is a standard procedure for air traffic control to maintain safety standards.

“As air traffic controllers followed all procedures and there was no safety incident, there is no requirement to report the go-around to the (Australian Transport Safety Board).”

Virgin failed to respond to the NT News about the delay.

Qantas spokesman Thomas Woodward said the Qantas flight was about 150m from the ground.