Passengers on a flight diverted to Invercargill have exited the plane following some drama in the air after take-off from Queenstown this evening.
The Australia-bound flight was diverted to the southern city after flames were seen coming from an engine.
Virgin Australia flight VA148 departed Queenstown Airport at 5.59pm, bound for Melbourne, before turning around and heading south.
"It experienced an issue just after take-off and has been diverted to Invercargill Airport," Queenstown Airport said in a statement.
The plane, which had 73 people on board, landed safely shortly before 7pm.
The airline later said it was a "possible bird strike on take-off".
"The aircraft has been met by emergency services at Invercargill Airport," Virgin Australia chief operations officer Stuart Aggs said. "The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority."
The airline later on Monday night said it was not aware of any injuries.
"Our efforts are now focused on providing support for our guests and crew, as well as transporting and accommodating guests in Invercargill this evening and arranging for their earliest onward travel to Australia.
"We wish to express our appreciation for the support of Invercargill Airport, emergency services, local Air New Zealand team members and our crew onboard in helping to support tonight's response effort."
Passengers had to wait on the plane for more than an hour before they were able to disembark and head into the airport's secure lounge.
Several buses were on site, and one driver told an Otago Daily Times reporter he would be driving passengers back to Queenstown
Lakes Weekly Bulletin earlier said members of the public reported hearing loud bangs and seeing flames coming from one of the engines.
A passenger on the flight told the Otago Daily Times the incident "was absolutely horrifying".
"We are beyond keen to get home but no idea what is going on."
Another person who claimed to be on the plane said on social media there had been a bird strike.
They said the pilot made the announcement over the public address system.
A reporter at Invercargill Airport described a "full turn-out" of emergency responders waiting for the plane to arrive, including four fire appliances.
About 6.50pm the aircraft was safely on the ground in Invercargill. No flames were visible and none of the several fire appliances had approached the plane.
The road into the airport has been closed by emergency services.
A Queenstown man described hearing what he thought was a car backfiring before seeing the plane, flames shooting from the back as it passed overhead.
Brayden told RNZ most of his street in Shotover Country was out filming the plane as it passed by.
"You don't really know what to do in that situation. Feel a little bit helpless and sorry for everyone who was on board. Sort of brought the whole street out, basically. Everyone was pretty scared and worried about what was going on."
"It sounded like there was a car backfiring right outside my kitchen window, which is quite bizarre because the road's at least 100m away.
"And it was just 'boom, boom, boom, boom'. And then I went outside and realised it was the plane, and I could see flames coming from the engine every few seconds."
The plane is a Boeing 737-8FE, according to flight trackers.
"We are aware of reports involving a Virgin Australia aircraft. We are working to establish details and will provide an update as soon as possible," a spokesperson for the airline said initially.
People have taken to social media to describe their view of the incident, one person saying it "sounded like it was coming apart over our house. One engine was throwing flames and sputtering out".
A passenger and crew member sustained moderate injuries.
- ODT Online/Fiona Ellis/additional reporting RNZ
