UPDATE: A regional Qantas flight, QF2079, was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff due to a wing flap issue. The incident occurred on July 22 at 10 AM, just minutes after departing from Mildura en route to Melbourne.
The aircraft, a Dash 8 Q400, circled near Mildura for over an hour as it dealt with the technical problem. It successfully returned and executed a priority landing just after midday, according to Qantas representatives.
A Qantas spokesperson confirmed, “Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this, and the flight has since landed safely in Mildura.” The airline expressed gratitude to passengers for their understanding during what they acknowledged to be an unsettling experience.
63 passengers were on board the flight, and all have disembarked safely. Local authorities, including Victoria Police, State Emergency Service, and the local fire service, were present at the scene to provide assistance.
Engineers are now assessing the aircraft to determine the extent of the issue. Qantas has assured the public that safety remains their top priority, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
Stay tuned for more breaking news on this developing story.
