Two tyres burst on Air NZ jumbo

Engineers are trying to find out what caused damage to two tyres on an Air New Zealand Boeing 747 when it took off yesterday from Auckland Airport.

The two tyres disintegrated when the plane, carrying 200 people, touched down at Brisbane Airport about 10am local time.

Brisbane Airport Corporation spokesman Jim Carden said the tyres burst when the plane landed.

The aircraft rolled to a stop on the taxiway and firefighters were on hand immediately.

"There was no fire risk," Mr Carden said. No one was injured.

Passengers were kept on the aircraft on the tarmac for more than an hour.

"There was no closure to the runway although there were a couple of services delayed just getting out on to the runway," Mr Carden said.

The plane, with fresh tyres, later returned to Auckland.

Air NZ spokesman Mike Tod said: "It appears two tyres may have been damaged on takeoff and upon landing it appears those tyres were already deflated or may have deflated properly on landing."

No other Air NZ aircraft were being checked, Mr Tod said.

The airline hoped to have a better idea of what caused the problem today.

- NZPA