Qantas plane makes sudden landing at Mildura due to ‘technical issue’

The aircraft was en route from Mildura to Melbourne before it was forced to make a ‘priority’ landing with 63 passengers on-board.

A Qantas plane with more than 60 passengers on board has been forced to make a priority landing in western Victoria due to a “technical issue”.

The QF2079 flight was scheduled for 10.40am on Tuesday, travelling from Mildura to Melbourne, when the aircraft had to make a sudden landing with 63 passengers on board.

A Qantas flight has been forced to make an emergency landing due to a technical issue. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

A Qantas spokesman said “one of our (aircraft) had to return to Mildura shortly after takeoff on Tuesday due to a technical issue”.

“Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this, and the flight has since landed safely in Mildura,” a Qantas statement read.

“We appreciate this would have been an unsettling experience for customers and thank them for their understanding.”

The flight was en route from Mildura to Melbourne. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Clark

Police were called to Mildura Airport just after 11am following reports of an “aircraft incident”.

“Police along with other emergency services were called to an airport in Mildura following reports of an aircraft incident just after 11am, where it appears there was an issue with the aircraft,” police told NewsWire.

“The plane landed safely, pilot and passengers weren’t injured.”

Ambulance Victoria also confirmed crews were called to the scene about 11am.

“No emergency treatment or transport was provided,” they said.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman told NewsWire the ATSB was aware of the incident.

“The ATSB has been notified of a Dash 8 passenger airliner return to Mildura this morning due to a technical issue, and is gathering further information prior to making an investigation decision,” the spokesman said.

More to come