Engine problem forces return of US flight

An Air New Zealand flight to San Francisco was forced to return to Auckland early today after developing an engine problem five hours into the flight.

A spokeswoman for the airline said pilots detected a vibration in an engine and decided to turn the plane around as a precaution.

The flight's 303 passengers were placed in a hotel and were rescheduled to another flight this afternoon.

The 303 passengers boarded a plane bound for San Francisco this afternoon.

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said a full investigation into what caused the engine vibration was underway.

- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF