KEY POINTS:
The problem that caused an Eagle Air flight to make an emergency landing at Timaru airport yesterday was a "totally different" issue than the one that grounded 17 planes from the Eagle Air fleet last week, an Air New Zealand spokeswoman says.
The 7.05am flight from Oamaru to Christchurch was diverted to Timaru when, five minutes after take-off, a warning light flashed on the plane's flight-deck to indicate a problem with one of the Jetstream 32's twin engines.
The pilot shut down the engine and emergency services were put on standby for the plane's arrival in Timaru 10 minutes later, although the plane landed safely.
Oamaru man Bill Dean, a passenger on board the plane, said the 19 passengers were well informed by staff and had reacted calmly when told there was a possible problem with one of the plane's engines.
Tracey Palmer, from Air New Zealand's public affairs team, said the unscheduled landing was a precaution and shutting down the engine was standard procedure if a warning light indicator came on.
The plane was certified to fly on one engine, she said.
The 19 passengers were either taken by road to Christchurch or returned to Oamaru. The aircraft was being inspected by engineers.
The problem would not mean Air NZ had to check all similar planes in its fleet, she said.
Last week, 17 Beech 1900D aircraft in Air NZ's Eagle Air fleet were grounded to be checked after a safety issue with the undercarriage was identified on one plane during a routine inspection.
Five of the Beech aircraft required replacement parts before the planes were back flying 48 hours later.
Passengers on yesterday's Oamaru to Christchurch flight had remained calm when alarms sounded through the cabin, Mr Dean, husband of Otago MP Jacqui Dean, said.
The pilots had acted "very professionally" and kept passengers informed as to what was going on.
"We were aware there was a problem, but it was barely visible," Mr Dean said.
"They the planes are designed to fly on one engine. So what can you do?"
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
