SYDNEY AP - A Qantas flight from New Zealand to Sydney landed safely on a single engine after it issued a mayday call over the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday.
Qantas Flight 144 with 145 passengers aboard landed at Sydney Airport from Auckland, New Zealand, after a 3.5 hour flight between the most populous cities of the neighboring nations.
A Qantas statement said that the Boeing 737-838 experienced an issue with one of its two engines about an hour from Sydney.
The mayday was downgraded to a PAN-PAN - possible assistance needed before the flight landed, because of the fact that a flight is in grave and imminent danger and needs immediate assistance.
Qantas said the pilot shut down the engine, but did not specify the problem.
While engine shutdowns are rare, and would be concerning for passengers, our pilots are trained to manage them safely, and aircraft are designed to fly for an extended period on one engine, according to Qantas.
Passengers told reporters in Sydney that they were told when they left the plane that an engine had failed.
They described their experience of the engine malfunction as a slight shudder and bumpy-like turbulence. Some reported hearing a bang.
The Sydney Airport said emergency crews were put on standby as a precaution, including firefighters, ambulances and police.
Neil Hanford, chairman of Strategic Aviation Solutions, said 737 s can fly quickly and land safely on a single engine.