Blazing debris falling out of a plane during take-off at Melbourne Airport caused havoc after all flights were suspended late on Tuesday morning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Despite earlier reports that a plane was on fire, Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett denied the aircraft itself had caught fire at any stage.
All flights were suspended temporarily after the 10.50am incident.
“There was an issue with a departing Vietnam Airlines flight, and as a result of that the aircraft became disabled,” she told Fairfax Media.
Ms Gillett said the fire was the result of debris that came out of the aircraft, and that the heavy smoke was due to the plane braking suddenly.
“Unfortunately, it happened at the intersection of our two runways, which is why we had to suspend all flights for the safety of everyone.”
The aircraft has since been taken to the parking bay for a final clean up, she said.
All flights have resumed.
The next arrival from Melbourne into Launceston Airport - Jetstar flight 742 - which was due to land at 1.05pm has been delayed until 1.25pm.
